Frost Covered Spring
Robert Frost. My first meaningful encounter with poetry occurred in fifth grade when Mr. C (still my favorite teacher) had us memorize “Stopping By Woods” and then we chalked our impressions of the poem onto dark blue construction paper. These were then pinned all around the classroom as the border above the chalkboard. As I teach this poem to my students I learn more and more from it. Frost does that with his poetry. It appears so deceptively simple at first and then there is a realization of its depth. It can be almost embarrassing at times once the analytical epiphany hits.
But I can’t imagine Frost laughing at my denseness–no, he would probably only chuckle. I imagine he might even be amused at the fuss we make analyzing his commentaries on birches, walls, and the snowy woods.
Frost is one of my faves and thought it very appropriate to feature him first among the many poets I hope to spotlight this month.
Here are a smattering of favorite poems:
“Mending Walls”
“Acquainted With The Night”
“The Road Not Taken”
“Fire and Ice”
“Nothing Gold Can Stay”
What are your favorite Frost verses? For some reason whenever spring arrives I tend to think of Robert Frost. Maybe this is fitting–a bit of Frost helps us appreciate the warmth of spring. I think he realized that as well.
Happy Poetry Month!
Pam Webb 
Can anyone get though elementary school without learning “Stopping by Woods…”?
It’s one of the best.
I’m discovering I can teach it on many different levels. Just took a look at it in AP English in terms of style using repetition. Good poems, make that good writing, stretches all sorts of ways of appreciation.
Reblogged this on English and Things.
I’ve just read this poem for the first time. Obviously I’m not American ! I can see why it would be a good one for children but with the references to village and harness bells I would have taken it for a European poem. Forgive me ! I like it because it makes sense on first reading . but it also leaves me with too many unanswered questions. My education continues ………
Frost was from New England and the European influence definitely would be present.
Could the speaker in the poem be a woman (“he” is down in the village, small horse) ?