Robert Frost (1873-1963) was an American poet who wrote about life in New England in the early 1900s. Many of his most memorable poems are about nature. And, as if all of that is not enough to pique your interest, he won the Pulitzer Prize not one, but four times! Here’s a poem to read with your kids during this winter season. Let’s look at the entire poem, and then at each stanza.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
First Stanza
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
Ask your child to create this scene. It can be with stick figures. It can be with stickers. It can be with play people on the kitchen table. We’re not looking for Norman Rockwell; we’re looking to have your child picture this in their head.
Second Stanza
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
First, let your child know that queer meant strange or odd when this poem was written back in 1923. Also, let them know that the darkest evening of the year refers to the winter solstice, which occurs on December 21st, 22nd, or 23rd, depending upon the year. Now, ask your child to tell you what is happening.
Third Stanza
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
Have your child describe the sounds in this stanza. Be sure they know that “he” in the first line is talking about the horse from the second stanza. Also, be sure they know that a harness is something a horse wears on their head and is part of what riders use to let the horse know what they want them to do. Also, point out that sound’s is not the sounds as in a possessive; it means the sound is.
Fourth Stanza
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Ask your child to share their thoughts. Is this a happy stanza? Is the speaker ready to go inside? Why can’t he? What sort of promises does he have to keep? What does that even mean? Help your child think of some promises that you have made to them and they have made to others.
Bottom Line
This little poem is a gem. It describes a situation with sensory detail. It paints a picture with words – a picture you can see in your mind’s eye. It’s thought-provoking. And the language is beautiful. Now that you’ve “parsed” the meaning, read it again from start to finish for pure enjoyment.