Poetry Sunday: The Tuft of Flowers by Robert Frost

Since I first became acquainted with Robert Frost's poetry in high school, I've often taken comfort in it over the years. Whenever the world seems particularly fractious, as it has recently, I turn again to many of his poems that I love. There are two of Frost's in particular that are meaningful for me - "Birches" and "The Tuft of Flowers." Today, "The Tuft of Flowers" seems especially appropriate - a reminder that we are all in this together whether we work together or apart.

The Tuft of Flowers

by Robert Frost

I went to turn the grass once after one
Who mowed it in the dew before the sun.
 
The dew was gone that made his blade so keen
Before I came to view the levelled scene.
 
I looked for him behind an isle of trees;
I listened for his whetstone on the breeze.
 
But he had gone his way, the grass all mown,
And I must be, as he had been,—alone,
 
‘As all must be,’ I said within my heart,
‘Whether they work together or apart.’
 
But as I said it, swift there passed me by
On noiseless wing a ‘wildered butterfly,
 
Seeking with memories grown dim o’er night
Some resting flower of yesterday’s delight.
 
And once I marked his flight go round and round,
As where some flower lay withering on the ground.
 
And then he flew as far as eye could see,
And then on tremulous wing came back to me.
 
I thought of questions that have no reply,
And would have turned to toss the grass to dry;
 
But he turned first, and led my eye to look
At a tall tuft of flowers beside a brook,
 
A leaping tongue of bloom the scythe had spared
Beside a reedy brook the scythe had bared.
 
I left my place to know them by their name,
Finding them butterfly weed when I came.
 
The mower in the dew had loved them thus,
By leaving them to flourish, not for us,
 
Nor yet to draw one thought of ours to him.
But from sheer morning gladness at the brim.
 
The butterfly and I had lit upon,
Nevertheless, a message from the dawn,
 
That made me hear the wakening birds around,
And hear his long scythe whispering to the ground,
 
And feel a spirit kindred to my own;
So that henceforth I worked no more alone;
 
But glad with him, I worked as with his aid,
And weary, sought at noon with him the shade;
 
And dreaming, as it were, held brotherly speech
With one whose thought I had not hoped to reach.
 
‘Men work together,’ I told him from the heart,
‘Whether they work together or apart.’

*~*~*~*

January 16 -
I just noted that this was my number 4,000 post on this blog  - a milestone of sorts. Thank you for reading!

   

Comments

  1. So many emotions in this poem. It's beautiful, and appropriate for our times. Buckle up.

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    Replies
    1. Good poems seem to have meaning in any time frame in which they are read.

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  2. Such an intricate, thoughtful poem, and one I had not read before, so, thank you.

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  3. Oh, I love this! It's so quietly thoughtful. He knew how to find just the right words.

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    Replies
    1. Finding just the right words is really the main skill or craft of the poet, isn't it?

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  4. Replies
    1. He certainly had an appreciation for Nature which makes him a favorite of mine.

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  5. Robert Frost's poetry has such a timeless way of offering comfort. I've always loved how nature plays such a significant role in his work, making his poems feel so alive. Thank you for sharing this!

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  6. This poem is completely new to me, and now I want to share it with others. Thank you for sharing it with us, and congratulations on your 4,000th post!

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