Thursday, March 31, 2011

Robert Frost for Thursday

Nothing Gold Can Stay
by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower,
but only so an hour.
As leaf subsides to leaf,
So Eden sank to grief.
So dawn goes down to day,
Nothing gold can stay.

I naturally think of this poem in the fall, but it's so fitting as we realize the fragile beauty of our broken world.  I also think of people I've loved and lost, moments that took my breath away...and am reminded of these words.

This is a great poem to memorize!  Since April is National Poetry Month, I'm going to try and memorize a couple favorites.  This Frost poem is pretty much the only one I know by heart. 

Oh, my students are going to think I'm crazy this April.  I will begin each class everyday with a new poem and require them to memorize a poem (they will choose from a variety I have selected for them).  They will keep a collection of favorite poems, try writing some of their own...oh, I'm just getting so geeked about this, I'm sorry.

And sometime today I'm going to write a poem about how Aaron said I looked like a lion with my "mane" long and flowing after a blow-out.  I may or may not share that.  My poetry can be pretty bad.  But one must be willing to do something badly if one longs for improvement....or something like that...

5 comments:

Ashley M said...

No, no. Plllllllleeeease share the lion mane poem. I think that was a great idea. And I like this Frost poem. So much said in so few words.

con said...

i've worked on "batter my heart, three-personed God" (donne) and have yet to conquer it. you've renewed my determination. i love love love "bereft" and a little ditty called "the hound" (francis) that was in my high school lit book. oh, and "we real cool." (brooks) :D oh, and "sonnets from the portugese" XIV says what i want to say about the unconditional love i've learned from my husband's example.

Erin said...

This is one of two poems I ever memorized. Simply because it was in one of my favorite books: The Outsiders. Have you read that? Ah, I cried and cried. Anyway, Ponyboy (yeah, that's the main character) quotes the poem to Johnny and I memorized it. Love it. I also have the first paragraph of that book down by heart. Little crazy, I know.
I also had to write about a poem when I was a kid and I chose "Land of Counterpane" by Robert L. Stevenson and it's kind of a favorite.
You've inspired me to do a poetry unit this summer with MaryEvyn. She's six. Any input would be appreciated.
Love, love your blog and am so glad you're posting more often.
Hope it's not creepy that I still follow you and wish you to move back to Houston. You and Ashley both. A girl can wish, right?
Anyway, thanks.

Susan said...

This is my FAVORITE poem of all time! I will admit it all stems from my insane crush on C.Thomas Howell, who played Ponyboy in the movie, "The Outsiders" I did a full fledged book report on that book in 7th grade. (in the height of my C Thomas Howell obession).
All these years later..I still love it even though I have moved passed Mr. Howell!
Thanks for sharing!
Sue Simpson

Jeannie said...

I am Cracking Up!! Look at all you Outsiders fans!! I love this. If only little Tommie Howell knew what an impact he made on you girls!

Love it!