On a Tree Fallen Across the Road - A poem by Robert Frost

Robert Frost - On a Tree Fallen Across the Road

(To hear us talk)

The tree the tempest with a crash of wood
Throws down in front of us is not to bar
Our passage to our journey's end for good,
But just to ask us who we think we are

Insisting always on our own way so.
She likes to halt us in our runner tracks,
And make us get down in a foot of snow
Debating what to do without an ax.

And yet she knows obstruction is in vain:
We will not be put off the final goal
We have it hidden in us to attain,
Not though we have to seize earth by the pole

And, tired of aimless circling in one place,
Steer straight off after something into space.

Added: on May 29th, 2008 at 11:33 PM | Viewed: 17223 times | Comments and analysis of On a Tree Fallen Across the Road by Robert Frost Comments (19)

On a Tree Fallen Across the Road - Comments and Information
Poet: Robert Frost (Robert Frost Art) Poem: 42. On a Tree Fallen Across the Road Volume: New Hampshire Year: Published/Written in 1923 Comment 19 of 19, added on April 29th, 2009 at 11:35 PM. Some people seem to think this poem is about human ability to overcome obstacles, while others think it is about how while we try to overcome obstacles, we ignore the beauty of nature around us. I think it may contain double meaning like that in Frost's "The Road Not Taken", where many assume that the narrator is glad he took "the road less travelled" because it gave him a different experience, and fail to realize the sorrow of the speaker that he cannot experience what both paths have to offer. Colin from United States Comment 18 of 19, added on November 23rd, 2008 at 10:56 AM. in the poem who is she ? nature? jose from United States Comment 17 of 19, added on May 29th, 2008 at 11:33 PM. This is actually a poem of humans' ability to overcome obstacles. If you take the 10th and 11th line of the poem into consideration, you will see that Frost may have may be implying that we, as humans, will never give up and that we have it in ourselves to overcome this "fallen tree", this test or obstacle placed in front of us. Happy from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, On a Tree Fallen Across the Road, has received 19 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Robert Frost with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Robert Frost Poem: 42. On a Tree Fallen Across the Road Volume: New Hampshire Year: Published/Written in 1923 Last read: Nov 20 2009, 6:20PM Viewed 17223 times. Added on May 29th, 2008 at 11:33 PM.

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