Unforgotten by Robert W. Service
The work explores the profound connection between two contrasting characters: a radiant woman in a garden and a weary man in a dark garret. The woman embodies beauty and light, symbolizing hope and inspiration, while the man represents struggle and creativity, immersed in the challenges of artistic expression. Despite their physical separation, they share an emotional and spiritual bond that transcends their environments. The imagery of the garden and the garret serves to highlight the dichotomy between joy and despair, yet emphasizes the unity of their experiences. The poem reflects on themes of love, longing, and the interplay between beauty and hardship, suggesting that true connection can exist even in the most disparate circumstances. The work ultimately conveys a sense of enduring affection and the idea that the essence of one can inhabit the world of the other, illustrating the power of imagination and emotional resonance.
By Robert W. Service · First published 1935 · Genre: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric · 147 words
First lines
I know a garden where the lilies gleam, And one who lingers in the sunshine there; She is than white-stoled lily far more fair, And oh, her eyes are heaven-lit with dream.
I know a garret, cold and dark and drear, And one who toils and toils with tireless pen, Until his brave, sad eyes grow weary -- then He seeks the stars, pale, silent as a seer.
And ah, it's strange, for desolate and dim Between these two there rolls an ocean wide; Yet he is in the garden by her side, And she is in the garret there with him.
What this Textopian page supports
Unforgotten is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert W. Service, dated 1935 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert W. Service
- Date: 1935 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romanticism, Lyric, Imagery, Symbolism
- Length: 147 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Unforgotten by Robert W. Service
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Unforgotten?
- How does this poem by Robert W. Service fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Lost Path by James Whitcomb Riley
- I Will Sing You One O by Robert Frost
- In An Old Garden by Madison Cawein
- Low Tide by Edna St Vincent Millay
- By The Sea by Emily Dickinson
- The Hedge Of Hemlocks by Edna St Vincent Millay
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, beauty, and idealization of the beloved are central to the poem.
- Lyric — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Imagery — Vivid imagery is used to evoke emotions and create visual representations.
Tags
Poetry · Classic · Literary · Verse · Rhyme · Ballad · Nostalgia · Memory · Loss · Grief · Longing · Regret