Poems

Poems List

Explore poems from our collection

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 wea…

171
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 ber…

274
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 ma…

246
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.

384
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 …

233
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 …

199
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 …

273
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.

242
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 n…

202
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 over…

283
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;

152
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 thou…

197
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 pen…

242
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 …

272
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 com…

234
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 lo…

206
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

239
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 …

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 kne…

227
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;

241
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 j…

329
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 m…

184
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

At The Golden Pig

At The Golden Pig

Where once with lads I scoffed my beer
The landlord's lass I've wed.
Now I am lord and master here;-Thank
God! the old …

240
Robert W. Service
Robert W. Service

At Eighty Years

At Eighty Years

As nothingness draws near
How I can see
Inexorably clear
My vanity.
My sum of worthiness
Always so small,…

228