Poem Analysis - When Omer Smote Is Bloomin Lyre

An Ode to Literary Borrowing

Rudyard Kipling's "When 'Omer Smote 'is Bloomin' Lyre" is a wry and knowing poem that celebrates the age-old practice of artistic borrowing, specifically in the realm of storytelling and song. The poem adopts a colloquial tone, using dialect to create a sense of intimacy and shared understanding with the reader. There are no major shifts in mood. The poem's tone is consistently tongue-in-cheek, almost conspiratorial, as it winks at the common secret of artistic inspiration. The poem is short and sweet, but hints to a deeper message about art as a craft passed down through generations.

The Poet as Magpie: An Acceptance of Plagiarism

One central theme is the acceptance of plagiarism as a natural part of the creative process. The poem doesn't condemn 'Omer (a stand-in for Homer, the legendary Greek poet) for taking "what he thought 'e might require." Instead, it frames his actions as an inevitable consequence of being exposed to the rich tapestry of human experience – "He'd 'eard men sing by land an' sea." It suggests that all artists, to some extent, draw inspiration from the works and experiences that precede them. The phrase "same as me!" at the end of the first stanza directly connects Kipling to this tradition, acknowledging his own debt to the stories and songs of others.

The Conspiracy of Art

The poem further explores the theme of a shared understanding among artists and their audience. The market-girls, fishermen, shepherds, and sailors all recognize that 'Omer is repurposing old material, but they "kep' it quiet." This silence isn't portrayed as ignorance or naivete but as an unspoken agreement, a knowing wink that acknowledges the interconnectedness of art and life. They understand that art builds upon art, and innovation often arises from reinterpretation. This creates an exclusive club feeling for those "in the know".

The Wink: A Symbol of Shared Understanding

The wink serves as a powerful symbol of this shared understanding. It is not a sign of guilt or shame on 'Omer's part, nor is it a sign of disapproval from the audience. Instead, it represents a mutual recognition of the game being played. 'Omer winks "down the road," suggesting a continuing journey of artistic borrowing and transformation. The final line, "An' 'e winked back – the same as us!" extends this invitation to the reader, implicating us in the conspiracy and suggesting that we, too, are participants in this cycle of inspiration and reinvention. Is Kipling suggesting that creativity is ultimately a process of collective remembering and retelling, rather than individual invention?

A Toast to Artistic License

In conclusion, "When 'Omer Smote 'is Bloomin' Lyre" is a lighthearted but insightful poem that celebrates the process of artistic borrowing. It suggests that creativity is not about creating something entirely new, but about transforming and reinterpreting what already exists. The poem’s lasting significance lies in its playful challenge to conventional notions of originality, suggesting that all art is, to some extent, a form of plagiarism, and that this is not necessarily a bad thing, but rather a testament to the enduring power of shared stories and songs. It implies that true artistry lies not in invention, but in masterful adaptation.