Flowers capture poet’s eye
by
Jacqueline
January 22, 2009
When you think of poet Robert Frost (1874 – 1963), who revered nature and particularly rural life, you typically think of New England. But did you know he was born in San Francisco and later moved to Massachusetts? He also lived in Michigan, England and Florida.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be sharing some of his poems that touch on the topic of flowers.
Leaves Compared with Flowers
A tree's leaves may be ever so good,
So may its bar, so may its wood;
But unless you put the right thing to its root
It never will show much flower or fruit.
But I may be one who does not care
Ever to have tree bloom or bear.
Leaves for smooth and bark for rough,
Leaves and bark may be tree enough.
Some giant trees have bloom so small
They might as well have none at all.
Late in life I have come on fern.
Now lichens are due to have their turn.
I bade men tell me which in brief,
Which is fairer, flower or leaf.
They did not have the wit to say,
Leaves by night and flowers by day.
Leaves and bar, leaves and bark,
To lean against and hear in the dark.
Petals I may have once pursued.
Leaves are all my darker mood.
Robert Frost
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