For to Admire (Poem by Rudyard Kipling)

For to Admire

By Rudyard Kipling

The Injian Ocean sets an' smiles

    So sof', so bright, so bloomin' blue;

There aren't a wave for miles an' miles

    Excep' the jiggle from the screw.

The ship is swep', the day is done,

    The bugle's gone for smoke and play;

An' black agin' the settin' sun

    The Lascar sings, "Hum deckty hai!"

        For to admire an' for to see,

            For to be'old this world so wide — 

        It never done no good to me,

            But I can't drop it if I tried!

I see the sergeants pitchin' quoits,

    I 'ear the women laugh an' talk,

I spy upon the quarter-deck

    The orficers an' lydies walk.

I thinks about the things that was,

    An' leans an' looks acrost the sea,

Till spite of all the crowded ship

    There's no one lef' alive but me.

The things that was which I 'ave seen,

    In barrick, camp, an' action too,

I tells them over by myself,

    An' sometimes wonders if they're true;

For they was odd — most awful odd — 

    But all the same now they are o'er,

There must be 'eaps o' plenty such,

    An' if I wait I'll see some more.

Oh, I 'ave come upon the books,

    An' frequent broke a barrick rule,

An' stood beside an' watched myself

    Be'avin' like a bloomin' fool.

I paid my price for findin' out,

    Nor never grutched the price I paid,

But sat in Clink without my boots,

    Admirin' 'ow the world was made.

Be'old a crowd upon the beam,

    An' 'umped above the sea appears

Old Aden, like a barrick-stove

    That no one's lit for years an' years!

I passed by that when I began,

    An' I go 'ome the road I came,

A time-expired soldier-man

    With six years' service to 'is name.

My girl she said, "Oh, stay with me!"

        My mother 'eld me to 'er breast.

They've never written none, an' so

    They must 'ave gone with all the rest — 

With all the rest which I 'ave seen

    An' found an' known an' met along.

I cannot say the things I feel,

    And so I sing my evenin' song:

        For to admire an' for to see,

            For to be'old this world so wide — 

        It never done no good to me,

            But I can't drop it if I tried!

Poem Analysis:

"For to Admire" by Rudyard Kipling is a reflective and introspective poem that explores the themes of nostalgia, reminiscence, and the passage of time. Here's an analysis of the poem:

Title: The title "For to Admire" suggests a sense of detachment and observation, as if the speaker is viewing the world from a distance and reflecting on their experiences.

Themes:

• Nostalgia and Reminiscence: The poem reflects on the speaker's past experiences, particularly their time in the military and the sights and sounds they encountered during their service. There is a sense of longing and nostalgia for the past.
• Loneliness and Isolation: Despite being surrounded by people and activity, the speaker feels a profound sense of loneliness and isolation. They seem disconnected from the world around them and lost in their memories.
• Reflection on Life's Meaning: The poem touches on existential themes as the speaker contemplates the meaning and purpose of their experiences. Despite the hardships and challenges they have faced, they find themselves unable to let go of their attachment to the world.

Imagery:

• Kipling employs vivid imagery to evoke the scenes and settings of the speaker's memories, such as the Injian Ocean, the barracks, and the ship. These images help to transport the reader into the speaker's world and convey the atmosphere of their reflections.
• The description of Old Aden as "like a barrick-stove / That no one's lit for years an' years" paints a stark picture of abandonment and desolation, mirroring the speaker's feelings of isolation.

Tone and Mood:

• The tone of the poem is melancholic and contemplative, with a sense of resignation and acceptance of the speaker's circumstances. There is a hint of bitterness and regret, but also a weary acknowledgment of the inevitability of their experiences.
• The mood oscillates between moments of nostalgia for the past and a sense of detachment from the present, reflecting the speaker's internal conflict.

Language: The language of the poem is colloquial and conversational, reflecting the speaker's informal tone and manner of speech. Kipling incorporates dialect and slang to add authenticity to the speaker's voice.

Message: "For to Admire" conveys a profound sense of loss and longing for the past, as the speaker reflects on their experiences and struggles to come to terms with the passage of time. The poem serves as a meditation on memory, identity, and the enduring power of nostalgia.

Rudyard Kipling's "For to Admire" is a poignant exploration of memory, loneliness, and the search for meaning in a world marked by change and uncertainty. Through its evocative imagery, introspective tone, and heartfelt themes, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own journeys and the significance of their past experiences.