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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.

Added: on July 21st, 2005 at 9:02 AM | Viewed: 8889 times | Comments and analysis of Leaves Compared With Flowers by Robert Frost Comments (4)


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 4 of 4, 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
Comment 3 of 4, added on March 22nd, 2006 at 9:23 AM.

"Leaves and bar, leaves and bark" - what does "bar" mean?

Dennis Barnes from United States
Comment 2 of 4, added on July 21st, 2005 at 9:02 AM.

Insight compared with understanding.

CP from United States

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