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Poet: Robert Frost (Robert Frost Art)
Poem: The Span Of Life
Volume: Collected Poems, Henry Holt & Co.
Comment 10 of 10, added on October 20th, 2009 at 9:40 AM.
I love the simplicity and the complexity of the poem that comes through at the same time. I get at least two perspectives; one of the dog and the one of the observer. The dog is clearly old, and yet is still performing his duty to bark at what needs to be barked at, still doing his sworn duty to protect and defend its master...even though it may be behind him and he is too tired or lame to get up and turn around. In the observer, there is a sense of melancholy, remembering when the pup (perhaps himself, or this friend that has provided continuous unrequited love) was young and recognizing that the dog (again, perhaps himself, or that same friend) will soon be gone. The simplicity and complexity are magnificent!
Bill P from United States
Comment 9 of 10, added on November 30th, 2007 at 11:18 PM.
the poem is really an exposition of sound's effect on poetry--in the phrase "barks backwards," all of the syllables are not only stressed, but are hard to say. this is intential as the cacophony is meant to slow the rhythm and break it down, thus paralleling how the old dog has slowed down. moreover, the part describing the pup is euphonious as it appeals to the ear and easily slips off the tongue, reflecting how the pup is fast and full of life. frost does a stunning job of reflecting the meaning of the work through the actual sound of the words.
Charlotte from United States
Comment 8 of 10, added on April 4th, 2007 at 8:28 AM.
The first time i got to know Frost was in one of my poetry lectures in colledge ,the spirit of his poems is imprinted forever in my mind.In fact this poem reminded me of the notion of time around which all his poems revolve.The poem is a deep contemplation upon this amasing creature that turns our dreams into ashes and because of it we can never go two paths till the end ,it is only way .
brahim from Morocco
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Comments
I love the simplicity and the complexity of the poem that comes through at the same time. I get at least two perspectives; one of the dog and the one of the observer. The dog is clearly old, and yet is still performing his duty to bark at what needs to be barked at, still doing his sworn duty to protect and defend its master...even though it may be behind him and he is too tired or lame to get up and turn around. In the observer, there is a sense of melancholy, remembering when the pup (perhaps himself, or this friend that has provided continuous unrequited love) was young and recognizing that the dog (again, perhaps himself, or that same friend) will soon be gone. The simplicity and complexity are magnificent!
Bill P from United States