I’ve tried the new moon tilted in the air
Above a hazy tree-and-farmhouse cluster
As you might try a jewel in your hair.
I’ve tried it fine with little breadth of luster,
Alone, or in one ornament combining
With one first-water star almost as shining.
I put it shining anywhere I please.
By walking slowly on some evening later,
I’ve pulled it from a crate of crooked trees,
And brought it over glossy water, greater,
And dropped it in, and seen the image wallow,
The color run, all sorts of wonder follow.
The sixth line has two typos. It should read as follows:
With one first-water star almost as shining.
Thank you Tom, I have corrected the typo.
Last line, first stanza should read “one first water star almost shining” (NOT start)
Surely it should be “first-water star” not “first-water start,” no?
The phrase “first-water” is from gemology, where it is used to characterize the quality of a diamond. So here, Frost must be referring to the gem-like brilliance of a star – “start” must be a typo…..but it
seems to have been replicated everywhere on the web….
I think the moon sybolizes hope. It seems that the speaker uses the moon, when he wants to feel better about himself.