[Michael Cantor]

Frost simply admitted to a metrical error, and shrugged, and went on to the next poem? That's it? No incredibly complex structure beyond the ken of mortal man? No plot against society? No secret Muslim wife? No questions as to why this most New England of poets claimed to have been born in San Francisco? How boring. No wonder the political discussions in General Discussion get so much more attention.

[Susan McLean]

Well, that sounds like a definitive answer.

Susan

[Roger Slater]

But I think he was in error to call it an error. Would anyone seriously consider "correcting" it? Frost himself had a chance but chose to leave the line alone.

Next thing you know, we'll learn that Frost actually meant for Silas to be named Donald.

[Tony Barnstone]

Yup, you're right. I just read a snippet from that book on Google Books, and he did admit the mistake! More and more interesting.

[Michael F]

I think that Frost's is the perfect answer. It's charming. It's human. It gives us permission. And art isn't math, after all.

[ross hamilton hill]

It's a howler of a first line.
Mary has a burnt bum because she sat on the flame[/i] musing.
She might as well be on the toilet next and have a wet bum when she flushed, it would offer some relief.

I hadn't read it before but had heard the title. I would imagine it will put many students off poetry completely. For me the poem is not a poem, it's a short story. I couldn't get into it, the first third is dull, nothing poetic there to make me read on.

[Roger Slater]

Ross, try listening to Frost read it. Only when I did so did I discover how wonderful the poem is. He doesn't have a pleasant voice, but he does know how to read it.

[ross hamilton hill]

I loved his voice Roger, went straight into my heart and stayed there quivering.

But I found my mind wandered, it is a very long poem and maybe it just doesn't suit my temperament.

I also think it probably speaks much more to Americans than others.

I've just read too much poetry lately and need to hear it instead although it's hard to find good poetry readings online.

I'll listen to some of his other readings. I really like Frost's voice.

[Tony Barnstone]

Ross,

It's one of several by Frost that attempt to do long narratives in blank verse, and actually I love it because it's natural speech, largely, and a good story. I think I prefer "The Witch of Coos," but this can be fun, especially when you get different people to read out the different voices.

[Gregory Dowling]

I find it a tremendously moving poem, one of Frost's finest narratives. Not as anguishing as "Home Burial" or as bleak as "A Servant to Servants" but very touching.

He was perhaps the best narrative poet of the last century. And what's wonderful is the range of stories he tells and tones he masters.