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July 25th, 2008 - we have 237 poets, 8036 poems and 17725 comments.
Robert Frost - For Once, Then, Something

Others taught me with having knelt at well-curbs
Always wrong to the light, so never seeing
Deeper down in the well than where the water
Gives me back in a shining surface picture
Me myself in the summer heaven godlike
Looking out of a wreath of fern and cloud puffs.
Once, when trying with chin against a well-curb,
I discerned, as I thought, beyond the picture,
Through the picture, a something white, uncertain,
Something more of the depths--and then I lost it.
Water came to rebuke the too clear water.
One drop fell from a fern, and lo, a ripple
Shook whatever it was lay there at bottom,
Blurred it, blotted it out. What was that whiteness?
Truth? A pebble of quartz? For once, then, something.

Added: on October 8th, 2005 at 10:08 AM | Viewed: 8731 times | Comments and analysis of For Once, Then, Something by Robert Frost Comments (6)


For Once, Then, Something - Comments and Information

Poet: Robert Frost
Poem: 25. For Once, Then, Something
Volume: New Hampshire
Year: Published/Written in 1923

Comment 6 of 6, added on April 15th, 2008 at 3:59 PM.

Actually the first line of the poem is not "Others TAUGHT me with having knelt at well-curbs" it is "Others TAUNT me with having knelt at well-curbs" In other words other people that he knows have managed to see what is hidden in the depths of the well, but possibly because of his own shallow nature he cannot see beyond his reflection on the surface.

Jeanette from United States
Comment 5 of 6, added on May 6th, 2006 at 11:28 AM.

frost is saying that if you look deeper down into situations, you will see them in more depth, therefore; understand them better.

john from United States
Comment 4 of 6, added on October 8th, 2005 at 10:08 AM.

i think the poem means that reality is just an illustion...you think you understand then something happens to change your view...

Mike Fladlien from United States

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