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Skyfyre
Senior Member
since 1999-08-15
Posts 1906
Sitting in Michael's Lap

0 posted 2000-06-09 11:01 AM


As I seem to be suffering a bout of writer's block of late, I have decided to revive an old project of mine which entailed writing tributes to my favorite poets in the style and form of one of their most famous poems.  Anyone who has ever read a smattering of poetry has come across "Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening," which was (obviously) the inspiration for this piece.   If anyone knows the poem, they might notice that I managed to preserve Frost's end-word scheme, in which the third line of each stanza is rhymed with the first, second and fourth of the next stanza, and so on.  Though this facsimile is but a shadow of the original, it captures some of the wonder I felt when reading Frost's seemingly uncomplicated yet truly profound writings.  I was only seven when I first read "Stopping By Woods," and yet its magic haunts me as much today as it did then – perhaps more.

–Kess    

Stopping by Words
(A tribute to Robert Frost)

Whose words these are I think I know --
His voice has long been silent, though –
He will not see me stopping here
To read his musings on the snow;

The passersby might think it queer
How simple verse could draw me near
In spirit, to that distant lake
There frozen in a bygone year;

Indulgently, their heads will shake:
Such trifling is a sure mistake.
How could a rhyme so surely sweep
One up in dreams of downy flake?

Yet nonetheless, it draws me deep
In secrets only spirits keep.
Oh, poignant poet, gently sleep:
Your hushed reflections haunt my sleep.




 YOUR LIFE IS A TEST

It is only a test ...

If this were your Actual Life, you would have been given better instructions!


© Copyright 2000 Linda Anderson - All Rights Reserved
Janet Marie
Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554

1 posted 2000-06-09 11:59 AM


Kess,
this is perfect, and very creative
very cool idea...I tried this a long time
ago with a Will Shakes sonnet...
never finished it...couldnt keep up with
Will's grace...
but you of course made it look easy.
wonderful tribute to a classic poem and poet.
take care, jm

Danny Holloway
Member Elite
since 2000-01-15
Posts 2034
Tulsa, OK
2 posted 2000-06-09 12:41 PM


This was delightful to read and a credit to your writing talent.  Ole Robert would have been proud of you! (and flattered)
A worthy tribute!  Beautiful work!

 A life isn't significant except for its impact on other lives.


Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666
California
3 posted 2000-06-09 01:03 PM


'Tis wonderful to see you breaking free of that "writer's block", my dear.  And though I have always marveled at the flow of your works on paper, I truly must say that to see the poetry flow from you in person is, indeed, breathtaking.  

You could not have picked a better poet for inspiration here me thinks.  Nor does the full meaning of this piece escape me.  Your eloquence and subtleties stand akin to the greats.  

Tantalizing poem.


Michael

Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296
Purgatorial Incarceration
4 posted 2000-06-09 10:25 PM


I'm one of those few that haven't read it then m'dear. However, I must say that I'm quite sure you do it justice.
Irish Rose
Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263

5 posted 2000-06-09 11:49 PM


I dearly love Robert Frost and I treasured this one

 Kathleen

"How do I love thee? Let
me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace." Elizabeth Barrett Browning


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