Storm Fear
by Robert Frost
When the wind works against us in the dark,
And pelts us with snow
The lower chamber window on the east,
And whispers with a sort of stifled bark,
The beast,
"Come out! Come out!" --
It costs no inward struggle not to go,
Ah, no!
I count our strength,
Two and a child,
Those of us not asleep subdued to mark
How the cold creeps as the fire dies at length, --
How drifts are piled,
Dooryard and road ungraded,
Till even the comforting barn grows far away,
And my heart owns a doubt
Whether 'tis in us to arise with day
And save ourselves unaided.
A little over a year ago we lived in blustery Northern Michigan. An area prepared for heavy snow and gusting wind. But here in North Carolina we have been presented with a White Christmas, the first since 1947 by some accounts. Looking out my front door at 2:00a.m. last night, I was enchanted with the chandelier-like imagery.
My kids and I even "braved" the elements last evening and saw the new movie "True Grit", which I highly recommend. Matt Damon deserves a supporting actor nomination, if not all of the main characters (and director). Upon driving back home around 10:00 pm, we saw downed wires due to the heavy load of snow and had a hard time making it up our steep driveway.
As excited children traversed our hills this morning, I can't help but wonder what hardships this "beast" of a snowfall has created for some. My son, Will, gave me a book of Robert Frost's poems. He had a very interesting, story-like way about his poetry which I find intriguing.
I am out the door now to take a walk and be thankful I have a warm house in which to return.
Beautiful walk ... the dogs loved it, but our smallest was a bit overwhelmed...
6 comments:
It is incredible to watch the parts of the country and world where snow storms are not the norm this year. I hope you get just enough to enjoy and play in it, but that it won't be any trouble.
I confess I don't quite understand Frost's poem after two readings. I'll come back and try again later.
I interpret the "beast" as the storm. It was himself, wife and a child and he was noticing the cold creeping in - I can only imagine how the men of the family worried with only their strength to rely on long ago... I was very thankful last night with the warmth and security of my home and how I enjoyed what I saw... but this must bring tragedy to some. I am so new to poetry, I could be way off !
And Will and John get the nativity and the devil and man's search for salvation out of it. I had never thought of that. Led to a lively conversation... Gotta love poetry.
The top photo is amazing and the bottom one is great and so cute!
I am still LOLing at that precious dog. 'Overwhelmed' may be an understatement! :) You sure do have gorgeous children...but then, of course!
James, thank you! Your photography is really quite splendid on your blog. I think our little dog is happy we don't get much snow...
Ginnie, Awe, thank you! We had to carry that little guy home and plunk him into the bathtub right away! :)
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