When I go up through the mowing field,
The headless aftermath,
Smooth-laid like thatch with the heavy dew,
Half closes the garden path.

And when I come to the garden ground,
The whir of sober birds
Up from the tangle of withered weeds
Is sadder than any words

A tree beside the wall stands bare,
But a leaf that lingered brown,
Disturbed, I doubt not, by my thought,
Comes softly rattling down.

I end not far from my going forth
By picking the faded blue
Of the last remaining aster flower
To carry again to you.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Robert Frost's poem A Late Walk

11 Comments

  1. Aamir Sohail says:

    I think it’s good poem ; having musicality and plainness of language and good setting (Autumn ).

  2. Alexis Smith says:

    I think this poem might be talking about a love that frost had that died. and he is walking to her grave every morning… so sad ): but great writing

  3. Kermit Van brocklin says:

    Late for the year, late for the loving, late for the realization. This poem typically weaves natural and experiential themes into another level of meaning. The grand metaphor. Frost at his best.

  4. Kermit Van brocklin says:

    Late for the year, late for the loving, late for the realization. This poem typically weaves natural and experiential themes into another level of meaning. The grand metaphor. Frost at his best.

  5. Kendra says:

    when i first read this poem i loved it so much and i choose it for prized speaking!!

  6. Mel says:

    On the contrary, I find this a sad love poem. All of the lonliness and dreariness of this poem guides me to think of him walking every morning to visit the grave of a loved one.

  7. Alejandra says:

    I love this poem it digs deep into my soul it brings out feelings that I have buried a long time ago. I love Poe his a gr8 riughter

  8. bobbi johnson says:

    I love he poems and touching words of Robert Frost! I never wrote poetry untill I read his poems

  9. Meraj says:

    How poignant is it possible to be. Frost tears my heart out with feelings I have yet to feel. Lesley is within us all I think.

  10. Sherry Banati says:

    A picture description of nature “Smooth-laid like thatch with the heavy dew”, “the whir of sober birds”- if the birds were to hear this they’d blush. “Up from the tangle of withered weeds Is sadder than any words” – the lonliness. “Disturbed, I doubt not, by my thought, Comes softly rattling down” – softness of Frost’s feelings. “By picking the faded blue
    Of the last remaining aster flower To carry again to you.” With all the loneliness, and sadness you can love….nature seems so solitary but lovers of nature will never be lonely. Mr. Frost is a true lover at the point of all perceptions!

  11. Rao says:

    But a leaf that lingered brown,
    Disturbed, I doubt not, by my thought,

    What a delicate touch! Only Frost is capable of such
    touching expressions!

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