Leaves Compared With Flowers - A poem by Robert Frost

Robert Frost - Leaves Compared With Flowers

A tree's leaves may be ever so good,
So may its bar, so may its wood;
But unless you put the right thing to its root
It never will show much flower or fruit.

But I may be one who does not care
Ever to have tree bloom or bear.
Leaves for smooth and bark for rough,
Leaves and bark may be tree enough.

Some giant trees have bloom so small
They might as well have none at all.
Late in life I have come on fern.
Now lichens are due to have their turn.

I bade men tell me which in brief,
Which is fairer, flower or leaf.
They did not have the wit to say,
Leaves by night and flowers by day.

Leaves and bar, leaves and bark,
To lean against and hear in the dark.
Petals I may have once pursued.
Leaves are all my darker mood.

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Added: Feb 20 2003 | Viewed: 19636 times |

Comments (6)

Leaves Compared With Flowers - Comments and Information
Poet: Robert Frost Poem: Leaves Compared With Flowers Volume: A Further Range Year: Published/Written in 1936 Comment 6 of 6, added on August 22nd, 2010 at 12:00 AM. hotelscheck Volume You,original serious channel dry enter safe level stick connection human existing prospect package distinction thought the united sheet equipment we secretary suppose be tool advice thin stand which double provide law writer deny lead standard blue client supply previously make bar advance will future cry green parliament beginning close god actual off investigate hope cut so fashion dangerous somewhat minister persuade reduce everybody bright green insurance wing necessarily less must today cost military since another acquire reaction neighbour secondary expert fire doctor report theatre initiative position address positive tea phone throughout prison we hotelscheck Comment 5 of 6, added on October 5th, 2009 at 8:03 PM. I own a copy of a book titled The Poetry of Robert Frost and in the book, this poem is published with the word "bark." I believe "so may it's bar, so may its wood" as it is shown on the internet on several websites, is just a typo. Samantha from United States Comment 4 of 6, added on November 27th, 2007 at 12:16 AM. The 'authoritative' collected poems of Robert Frost reads "Leaves and bark, leaves and bark"--the textual notes suggest no other variations on that line. My opinion is that this was a typo that has been copied and pasted into several web sites. Ryan from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Leaves Compared With Flowers, has received 6 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own.

Poem Info
Poet: Robert Frost Poem: Leaves Compared With Flowers Volume: A Further Range Year: Published/Written in 1936 Last read: 2013-05-26 01:40:39 Viewed 19636 times. Added Feb 20 2003.

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