Canis major by Robert Frost - a Poetry Friday post

[kellyrfineman]

Today would have been Robert Frost's birthday, in honor of which I am posting a short poem of his from the collection entitled West-Running Brook, of which I am the delighted owner of a first edition (as those of you who remember this post will recall). In fact, the reason I know my book is a first edition is directly related to today's poem, since

Comments

[kellyrfineman]

I think it's interesting, too - only one letter, really, but such a different "feel" to it. Roam seems a bit less decisive and active. I get why he altered it to "romps", which sounds more intentional and decidedly noisier.

[lorrainemt]

Isn't it amazing how one word can change the feel of a poem so much. I much prefer roams too. Thanks for sharing this, Kelly.

[kellyrfineman]

I think I like "romps" better, but as I was typing it from my first edition (smug much? I'm horrible, aren't I?), I went with the original language. "Romps" certainly has a noisier and more destructive sort of feel to it somehow. And "roams" makes perfect sense - it feels a bit quieter somehow, and maybe a bit more lonely.

[rumphius]

I too picked Frost today, but then put that poem on hold for something about baseball. Funny how we often seem to be on the same wavelength.

I tried desperately to find a poem for Liz, but nothing seemed appropriate. I'm still searching. I'm happy to report that her sad news gave me the kick in the pants I needed to begin digging out of my wallow. Really, given everything that's happening to those around me, what do I possibly have to be sorry about?

Thanks for sharing this.

[kellyrfineman]

I am glad you are digging out a bit, whatever the reason. I've been worried about you.

And yes, you and I are usually quite simpatico. Which reminds me that I need to get my act together for ALA.

[ext_152701]

Lucky you, owner of a first edition!! Thanks, too, for sharing this poem today--and for your thoughtful analysis. Always much to learn here at your site!

[kellyrfineman]

I was so so so excited when I figured out my book was a first edition - it is actually marked "not 1st" in pencil. I got it at a used bookstore. They were mistaken, however; it is the first edition, even though it's not printed on there. I did quite a happy dance when I sorted out that my book is indeed a 1st!

I really appreciate your kind words about my blog. Hugs to you for that!

[sheela_chari]

This is one of the poems I read with my daughter when we were reading poetry together (nowadays we are too tired to wake early to read. That was one of my hair-brained ideas). It's a great poem to read with a child. The language is simple but there is so much going on the page. We discussed what it meant to be an overdog or an underdog. I think she had the poem memorized for a while, even. :)

[kellyrfineman]

Love that!