50+ Robert Frost Poems, Ranked by Poetry Experts

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Robert Frost penned this poem, ‘Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening’ in 1922, subsequently published with his long poem, ‘New Hampshire.’

This is one of Robert Frost's best-known poems. This poem is an excellent example of Frost's penchant for natural imagery and his use of plain English to craft deep, profound metaphors that weigh heavily on the listener. However, its ability to capture the feeling of being overwhelmed is what has made it so meaningful to such a wide audience.

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.

Birches

‘Birches’ is one of the most famous, admired, and thoughtful Robert Frost poems. The poem profoundly describes something simple, an ordinary incident, in elevated terms.

This piece is one of the best representatives of Robert Frost’s use of blank verse. The events in this piece are generally playful and upbeat. They discuss the joy that can come from playing in the woods, particularly on the branches of a birch tree. However, this poem explores the limits of human reach, as the tree provides a vehicle to reach beyond one’s typical purview.

When I see birches bend to left and right

Across the lines of straighter darker trees,

I like to think some boy’s been swinging them.

But swinging doesn’t bend them down to stay

The Freedom of the Moon

‘The Freedom of the Moon’ by Robert Frost is a poem about humanity’s freedom. It uses beautiful figurative language to define the human experience.

This lesser-known Robert Frost piece is filled with meaning. On the outside, the poet appears to be discussing the freedom of the moon. It can be “tilted n the air” or “shining anywhere” the speaker pleases. It can be “brought…over glossy water” and “dropped…in.” These beautiful images combine to form a longer extended metaphor about freedom, or perhaps lack thereof.

I've tried the new moon tilted in the air

Above a hazy tree-and-farmhouse cluster

As you might try a jewel in your hair.

I've tried it fine with little breadth of luster,

The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’ explores life’s choices, opportunities, and the ensuing lingering regret of untaken paths.

'The Road Not Taken' is one of Robert Frost's and even the world's most famous poems. Its popularity stems from its universal resonance about the human condition concerning making choices, offering timeless insights into the complexities of life. The poem exemplifies Frost's style and subject matter - despite writing during the high point of modernism, he maintained a conservative approach to technique, employing traditional meters while exploring life's universal truths. Like Frost's other poems, this poem embodies a synthesis of tradition and modernity, bearing universal truths about human existence that continue to captivate readers.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To Earthward

‘To Earthward’ by Robert Frost contemplates the speaker’s connection to the earth. As he’s aged, he’s sought out more painful experiences in order to feel the same as he did in his youth.

This impressive poem describes the speaker’s connection to his emotions and his eventual desire to draw closer to the strength of the earth. The speaker describes his youth as a powerful influence, so sweet it was almost too much for him to handle. However, as he matures, he searches for pain rather than pleasure. This strange decision makes sense by the end of the poem, as he seeks to feel something real, turn “earthward,” and know the full range of his emotions.

Love at the lips was touch

As sweet as I could bear;

And once that seemed too much;

I lived on air

A Time to Talk

‘A Time to Talk’ by Robert Frost is a poem abut the importance of friendship. Nothing should get in the way of greeting a friend one truly cares about.

This poetic work speaks on the importance of friendship and how nothing should get in the way of greeting a friend who has come to visit. This poem is one of the best about friendship; thus, it has found a vast audience. According to the poem, it does not matter how tired one is or what work is left to do, a good friend sits down and has a “friendly visit” when someone comes calling.

When a friend calls to me from the road

And slows his horse to a meaning walk,

I don’t stand still and look around

Nothing Gold Can Stay

The poem, ‘Nothing Gold Can Stay’, by Robert Frost, is about the impermanence of life. It describes the fleeting nature of beauty by discussing time’s effect on nature.

This poem is one of Robert Frost's best-known. The poem is a fantastic example of his poetry in its focus on nature, change, and humanity's perception of the world. The poet uses natural images in order to speak about how temporary life and beauty truly is. This poem should be considered among his best.

Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Mending Wall

‘Mending Wall’ by Robert Frost explores the nature of human relationships. The speaker suggests there are two types of people, those who want walls and those who don’t.

This piece is one of Robert Frost’s best-known pieces. It discusses humankind’s desire to mark off territory, doing things like solidifying the boundary of one’s land. The speaker does not look kindly on this way of setting up boundaries. He sees it as barbaric and indicative of a more basic urge which humanity should’ve grown out of.

Something there is that doesn't love a wall,

That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,

And spills the upper boulders in the sun;

And makes gaps even two can pass abreast.

Desert Places

‘Desert Places’ by Robert Frost is a dark poem that uses a snowstorm to depict universal human loneliness and the inevitable return of depression.

This Frostian piece discusses the themes of isolation and loneliness within a natural scene. In this case, the setting is a snowy landscape in which all animals are hidden, and no travelers wander. The land is described as “empty spaces,” which evokes fear in the speaker and makes him think of his own mental “desert places.”

Snow falling and night falling fast, oh, fast

In a field I looked into going past,

And the ground almost covered smooth in snow,

But a few weeds and stubble showing last.

Tree At My Window

‘Tree At My Window’ by Robert Frost celebrates the speaker’s love for nature. He focuses in on one specific tree outside his window that’s meant a lot to him.

In this well-known poem from Robert Frost, the speaker describes the feelings of companionship he holds for an old, dependable tree outside his window. The image of the tree is extremely important. Just as the speaker has watched the tree, the tree has watched over the speaker. They have been through a lot together and been one another’s steadfast companions.

Tree at my window, window tree,

My sash is lowered when night comes on;

But let there never be curtain drawn

Between you and me.

Explore more poems from Robert Frost

The Wood-Pile

‘The Wood-Pile’ by Robert Frost is a beautiful, image-rich poem. It details a speaker’s journey through the woods and his discovery of a woodpile.

This lesser-known narrative poem describes a speaker’s journey through the woods to a strange, abandoned woodpile. A lover of Frost’s poetry will immediately recognize the walk through the woods as an important element in other texts as well. There is a theme of natural exploration, often inhibited or confused by human emotions, throughout Frost’s poetry, and this poem is no exception.

Out walking in the frozen swamp one gray day,

I paused and said, 'I will turn back from here.

No, I will go on farther—and we shall see.'

A Roadside Stand

‘A Roadside Stand’ by Robert Frost is a socially aware poem that explores the issues that face people living in the countryside with few financial means.

This is far from Frost's best-known poem, but it is a very good example of his interest in social issues and what a struggle it can be to find solutions. He engages with imagery that's also commonly found in his poetry, as well, as in this piece.

The little old house was out with a little new shed

In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,

A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,

It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,

Gathering Leaves

‘Gathering Leaves’ is a profound poem that delves into the themes of man versus nature, productivity, and change.

Like much of Frost's work, 'Gathering Leaves' examines the intersection of human life with the natural world.

Spades take up leaves

No better than spoons,

And bags full of leaves

Are light as balloons.

What Fifty Said

Frost’s ‘What Fifty Said’ is a reflection on youth and age’s lessons: learning past and future while creating one’s own identity.

Robert Frost's evocative verses delve into universal themes of nature, life's complexities, and human choices. His accessible yet profound poetry resonates with readers of all backgrounds, inviting introspection and contemplation. Frost's distinctive style and mastery of metaphor have left an enduring mark on American literature, inspiring generations with his timeless reflections on the human experience. 'What Fifty Said' is one of Robert Frost's most famous poems and one of many that explores the themes of aging, education, and maturity.

When I was young my teachers were the old.

I gave up fire for form till I was cold.

I suffered like a metal being cast.

I went to school to age to learn the past.

The Death of the Hired Man

‘The Death of the Hired Man’ by Robert Frost delves into human relationships, compassion, and the passage of time through the interactions of its characters and the evocative imagery of a rural setting.

This is one of the celebrated poems of Robert Frost because of its compelling narrative, rich character development, exploration of profound themes, skillful use of poetic techniques, and the way it evokes deep emotional responses in readers.

Warren returned—too soon, it seemed to her,

Slipped to her side, caught up her hand and waited.

‘Warren,’ she questioned.

‘Dead,’ was all he answered.

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