Poems

Poems List

Explore poems from our collection

Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Captivity

Captivity


O meadow lark, so wild and free,
It cannot be, it cannot be,
That men to merchandise your spell
Do close you in a wicker hell!

201
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Careers

Careers


I knew three sisters,--all were sweet;
Wishful to wed was I,
And wondered which would mostly meet
The matrimonial tie.
I asked …

232
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Café Comedy

Café Comedy

She

I'm waiting for the man I hope to wed.
I've never seen him - that's the funny part.
I promised I would wear a rose of red,

175
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Breton Wife

Breton Wife

A Wintertide we had been wed
When Jan went off to sea;
And now the laurel rose is red
And I wait on the quay.
His berthing boat I…

279
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Brave Coward

Brave Coward

Elisabeth imagines I've
A yellow streak

She deems I have no dash and drive,
Jest dogoned weak.

'A man should be a ma…

253
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Breakfast

Breakfast


Of all the meals that glad my day
My morning one's the best;
Purveyed me on a silver tray,
Immaculately dressed.
I rouse me w…

387
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Boon Soul

Boon Soul

Behold! I'm old; my hair is white;
My eighty years are in the offing,
And sitting by the fire to-night
I sip a grog to ease my coughing. …

238
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Book Lover

Book Lover

I keep collecting books I know
I'll never, never read;
My wife and daughter tell me so,
And yet I never head.
"Please make me," sa…

201
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Bonehead Bill

Bonehead Bill

I wonder 'oo and wot 'e was,
That 'Un I got so slick.
I couldn't see 'is face because
The night was 'ideous thick.
I just made …

246
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Birthdays

Birthdays


Let us have birthdays every day,
(I had the thought while I was shaving)
Because a birthday should be gay,
And full of grace and go…

275
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Bird Sanctuary

Bird Sanctuary

Between the cliff-rise and the beach
A slip of emerald I own;
With fig and olive, almond, peach,
cherry and plum-tree overgrown;

287
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Birds Of A Feather

Birds Of A Feather

Of bosom friends I've had but seven,
Despite my years are ripe;
I hope they're now enjoying Heaven,
Although they're not the typ…

204
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Bindle Stiff

Bindle Stiff

When I was brash and gallant-gay
Just fifty years ago,
I hit the ties and beat my way
From Maine to Mexico;
For though to Glasgo…

200
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Bill's Grave

Bill's Grave

I'm gatherin' flowers by the wayside to lay on the grave of Bill;
I've sneaked away from the billet, 'cause Jim wouldn't understand;
'E'd ca…

155
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Bessie's Boil

Bessie's Boil

Says I to my Missis: "Ba goom, lass! you've something I see, on your mind."
Says she: "You are right, Sam, I've something. It 'appens it's on me …

278
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Belated Conscience

Belated Conscience

To buy for school a copy-book
I asked my Dad for two-pence;
He gave it with a gentle look,
Although he had but few pence.

243
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Beachcomber

Beachcomber


When I have come with happy heart to sixty years and ten,
I'll buy a boat and sail away upon a summer sea;
And in a little lonely isle …

210
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Bed Sitter

Bed Sitter

He stared at me with sad, hurt eyes,
That drab, untidy man;
And though my clients I despise
I do the best I can
To comfort them wi…

241
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Barcelona

Barcelona


The night before I left Milan
A mob jammed the Cathedral Square,
And high the tide of passion ran
As politics befouled the air.

252
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Bank Robber

Bank Robber

I much admire, I must admit,
The man who robs a Bank;
It takes a lot of guts and grit,

For lack of which I thank
The gods: …

242
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Awake To Smile

Awake To Smile

When I blink sunshine in my eyes
And hail the amber morn,
Before the rosy dew-drop dries
With sparkle on the thorn;
When bough…

249
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Baby Sitter

Baby Sitter

From torrid heat to frigid cold

I've rovered land and sea;
And now, with halting heart I hold
My grandchild on my knee:
Yet…

230
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

Atoll

Atoll


The woes of men beyond my ken
Mean nothing more to me.
Behold my world, and Eden hurled
From Heaven to the Sea;
A jeweled home, i…

334
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

At Thirty-Five

At Thirty-Five

Three score and ten, the psalmist saith,
And half my course is well-nigh run;
I've had my flout at dusty death,
I've had my whack of…

190