The Need of Being Versed in Country Things - A poem by Robert Frost

Robert Frost - The Need of Being Versed in Country Things

The house had gone to bring again
To the midnight sky a sunset glow.
Now the chimney was all of the house that stood,
Like a pistil after the petals go.
The barn opposed across the way,
That would have joined the house in flame
Had it been the will of the wind, was left
To bear forsaken the place's name.
No more it opened with all one end
For teams that came by the stony road
To drum on the floor with scurrying hoofs
And brush the mow with the summer load.
The birds that came to it through the air
At broken windows flew out and in,
Their murmur more like the sigh we sigh
From too much dwelling on what has been.
Yet for them the lilac renewed its leaf,
And the aged elm, though touched with fire;
And the dry pump flung up an awkward arm;
And the fence post carried a strand of wire.
For them there was really nothing sad.
But though they rejoiced in the nest they kept,
One had to be versed in country things
Not to believe the phoebes wept.

Added: on December 5th, 2007 at 1:55 AM | Viewed: 6421 times | Comments and analysis of The Need of Being Versed in Country Things by Robert Frost Comments (9)

The Need of Being Versed in Country Things - Comments and Information
Poet: Robert Frost Poem: 45. The Need of Being Versed in Country Things Volume: New Hampshire Year: Published/Written in 1923 Comment 9 of 9, added on January 13th, 2008 at 9:50 AM. well this poem, i have read many a time and i am beginning to come to terms with it all now, i find it very inspiring in my work as a glamour model margaret atwell from United Kingdom Comment 8 of 9, added on December 5th, 2007 at 4:57 AM. If you grew up in the country, truly, you understand natural decay and "to every season turn, turn," and you do not grieve too long and certainly know that the birds don't. ea Comment 7 of 9, added on December 5th, 2007 at 1:55 AM. I'd have to disagree with some of the aforementioned ideas. I think this poem is about the relationship of nature to human emotion and suffering. By saying "For them there was really nothing sad" he is saying that human loss doesn't reflect on nature, which in this poem is represented by the phoebes. The birds are singing and flying around, and the tulips are growing regardless of the fact the farmhouse was a desolate wreck. Jase from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, The Need of Being Versed in Country Things, has received 9 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: 45. The Need of Being Versed in Country Things Volume: New Hampshire Year: Published/Written in 1923 Last read: Jul 25 2008, 10:31PM Viewed 6421 times. Added on December 5th, 2007 at 1:55 AM.

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