Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost

[kellyrfineman]

One of the best-loved of Frost's poems, and with good reason, is "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening". It's been widely anthologized in collections for adults as well as children, and it has been set to music and as the text of a picture book on at least one occasion. I feel I should tell you that much as I love this poem, I've been thinking

Comments

[docstymie]

[kellyrfineman]

That last stanza really sticks with you, doesn't it?

[tessagratton]

You make me want to post more poetry in my blog. I have long been a reader of poems, and always get frustrated when people tell me they don't "get" poetry. (I blame the New Critics.) I have occasionally ranted about it, even. So, thanks for the poetry, whether they're poems I know or are deliciously new to me.

You make me want to post more poetry in my blog.

[kellyrfineman]

Hooray! The world needs more poetry, whether it knows it or not. Folks who think they can't "get" poetry have been programmed to think that, usually, and most of them are selling themselves short. I read your rant, btw, and have to say that the folks who squeeze the life out of a poem get to me. They remind me very much of Billy Collins's poem, "Introduction to Poetry", which I quoted and referenced in a post/rant of my own about literary criticism (in which I relied on T.S. Eliot, of all people, for support).

Re: You make me want to post more poetry in my blog.

[tessagratton]

That is a fabulous poem! I love it, and it is oh-so-true.

From aquafortis

[anonymous]

I've always loved Frost. I remember memorizing this to recite in front of the class in 5th grade (back when they did that kind of thing in elementary school). Fascinating insights. I find it impressive that Frost is able to convey so much weight of implication with such clear, deceptively simple verbal scenes.

Re: From aquafortis

[kellyrfineman]

Frost is the master of deceptively simple. Thanks for stopping by, Sarah!

[bedazzled2]

I agree with your analysis, but I also agree with the others. If you have time, check out the poem on my blog and tell me if you see spring.

[kellyrfineman]

Step outside - spring can be seen there in the sap dripping onto my windshield, and the buds starting to swell on some of the trees and shrubs.

[thunderchikin]

Have you ever analyzed "Mending Wall"? To me, it's one of his most intriguing poems.

[kellyrfineman]

"Mending Wall" is one of the favorites of a very dear friend of mine, with whom I've discussed it quite a bit. Such a great poem - I'll get to it one of these days!