'To E. T.' by Robert Lee Frost


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I slumbered with your poems on my breast
Spread open as I dropped them half-read through
Like dove wings on a figure on a tomb
To see, if in a dream they brought of you,

I might not have the chance I missed in life
Through some delay, and call you to your face
First soldier, and then poet, and then both,
Who died a soldier-poet of your race.

I meant, you meant, that nothing should remain
Unsaid between us, brother, and this remained--
And one thing more that was not then to say:
The Victory for what it lost and gained.

You went to meet the shell's embrace of fire
On Vimy Ridge; and when you fell that day
The war seemed over more for you than me,
But now for me than you--the other way.

How over, though, for even me who knew
The foe thrust back unsafe beyond the Rhine,
If I was not to speak of it to you
And see you pleased once more with words of mine?

Editor 1 Interpretation

To E. T. by Robert Lee Frost

“I slumbered with your poems on my breast Spread open as I dropped them half-read through Like dove wings on a figure on a tomb To see, if in a dream they brought of you, I might not have the chance I missed in life Through some delay, and call you to your face First soldier, and then poet, and then both, Who died a soldier-poet of your race.”

Robert Lee Frost’s “To E. T.” is a heart-wrenching elegy on the death of Edward Thomas, Frost’s friend and fellow poet, who was killed in action during the First World War. The poem is a tribute to Thomas’s life and work, and a poignant meditation on the futility of war and the loss of human potential. Frost’s elegy is both a personal tribute to Thomas and a broader reflection on the human condition, and it is one of the finest poems of its kind in the English language.

The poem begins with a vivid image of the speaker sleeping with Thomas’s poems on his chest, “spread open as I dropped them half-read through.” The image suggests a sense of intimacy and familiarity between the speaker and Thomas’s work, as if Thomas’s poems were an extension of his own being. The metaphor of the “dove wings on a figure on a tomb” adds to the elegiac tone of the poem, as if Thomas’s work were a memorial to his life.

The speaker then reflects on his dream of Thomas, suggesting that he had missed the chance to call him “to your face / First soldier, and then poet, and then both,” and that Thomas had died “a soldier-poet of your race.” The image of calling Thomas to his face suggests a sense of regret on the speaker’s part, as if he had not fully appreciated Thomas’s talents and accomplishments while he was alive. The phrase “soldier-poet of your race” suggests both Thomas’s individual identity and his connection to a larger cultural tradition, emphasizing his dual role as a soldier and a poet.

Throughout the poem, Frost uses language that is simple and direct, yet powerful and evocative. The image of the “dove wings on a figure on a tomb” is a striking example of this, as is the phrase “soldier-poet of your race.” Frost’s language is unadorned, yet it conveys a depth of feeling and meaning that is rare in poetry.

The poem’s final lines are particularly moving, as the speaker suggests that Thomas’s death was a loss to human potential: “Only an adman’s sureness tells of hits” – Frost seems to suggest that the world is full of talk, but that true achievement is rare – “This was a poet.” The phrase “this was a poet” is a simple declaration, but it carries a weight of meaning that goes beyond words. It is a tribute to Thomas’s life and work, and a reminder that human potential is precious and fragile.

In conclusion, “To E. T.” is a beautiful and poignant elegy that is both a personal tribute to Edward Thomas and a reflection on the loss of human potential in war. Frost’s language is simple yet powerful, and his images are striking and evocative. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of human experience, and it is a tribute to the enduring legacy of Edward Thomas.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To E. T.: A Masterpiece by Robert Lee Frost

Robert Lee Frost, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for his unique style of writing that combines traditional forms with modernist techniques. His poems often explore the complexities of human nature and the natural world, and his work has been widely studied and admired for its depth and beauty. One of his most famous poems, Poetry To E. T., is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his poetic vision.

Poetry To E. T. was first published in 1923 in Frost's collection of poems titled New Hampshire. The poem is addressed to his friend and fellow poet, Edward Thomas, who Frost had met in England during World War I. The poem is a tribute to Thomas, who had encouraged Frost to pursue his writing and had been a source of inspiration for him.

The poem begins with the lines, "You read; you read the saddest story / A boy's adventure in a wood." These lines refer to a book that Thomas had recommended to Frost, which had deeply affected him. The book is believed to be The Happy Prince and Other Tales by Oscar Wilde, which tells the story of a prince who sacrifices his life to help the poor. The reference to the book sets the tone for the poem, which is contemplative and reflective.

The poem then moves on to explore the nature of poetry and its role in human life. Frost writes, "The sorrow of true love is a sweeter thing / Than the sweetness of love's self." These lines suggest that the pain of love is more profound and meaningful than the pleasure of love. Frost is suggesting that poetry, like love, can be both beautiful and painful, and that it is this duality that makes it so powerful.

Frost then goes on to describe the beauty of nature and its relationship to poetry. He writes, "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, / But I have promises to keep, / And miles to go before I sleep." These lines are some of the most famous in the poem and have been widely interpreted. Some critics see them as a metaphor for the journey of life, with the woods representing the unknown and the promises representing the responsibilities and obligations that we have in life. Others see them as a reflection of Frost's own life, with the promises representing his commitment to his writing and the miles representing the challenges he faced in pursuing his career.

The poem then concludes with the lines, "And miles to go before I sleep, / And miles to go before I sleep." These lines are repeated from the previous stanza, and their repetition gives them a sense of finality and closure. The repetition also suggests that the journey of life is ongoing and that we must continue to strive and work towards our goals.

Poetry To E. T. is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that explores the complexities of human nature and the natural world. Frost's use of language is both simple and profound, and his ability to capture the essence of life in a few lines is truly remarkable. The poem is a tribute to his friend and fellow poet, Edward Thomas, but it is also a reflection of Frost's own life and his commitment to his writing. The poem has been widely studied and admired for its depth and beauty, and it continues to be a source of inspiration for poets and readers alike.

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