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At mid-month I feel November's pull inward. Robert Frost's A Time to Talk got into me this week. Pausing work for the "luxury" of a conversation isn't always easy for me. But, friendship, I've learned, is more than luxury.
A Time to Talk
by Robert Frost
by Robert Frost
When a friend calls me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don’t stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven’t hoed,
And shout from where I am, “What is it?”
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wallAnd slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don’t stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven’t hoed,
And shout from where I am, “What is it?”
No, not as there is a time to talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
For a friendly visit.
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| National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; partial gift of John Winslow and Mary Winslow Poole |
Pop over to Michelle's blog, Today's Little Ditty. It's one of my favorite places to visit on Poetry Friday! She's celebrating the publication of Today's Little Ditty III and running a writing challenge playing with fun and funny words this month AND hosting our weekly round-up. I need to get my ditty written. Have you written yours yet?
Oh, this is lovely, Linda. I so enjoyed reading Frost's poem and your response is perfect. Such a gentle, convivial joy. Also, both poems are a strong reminder to me to take those moments and stop worrying about unhoed hills. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour loving post, poem to poem, can be for all relationships, can't it, Linda? In the middle of our work and thoughts, stopping for a "listen" and a "chat" shows much caring. You painted a beautiful picture for your chat with Frost. "fit for tattered covers" is a line I love for my used bookstore.
ReplyDeleteI like the casual conversational tone you have in your "Thank you," poem–It has a very fresh feeling. I may borrow a line from Frost's poem for a golden shovel. Thanks for the hearty post Linda!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the gray sweater day poem prompted by Frost, Linda. When friends come a calling, we need to take Frost's advice. As for the challenge, I was all over the place with that one but finally got it together. Being funny when I play with words is not my modus operandi. See you at NCTE.
ReplyDeleteYour conversation here with Mr. Frost makes me give a happy sigh! I'm going to save it. Thanks!
ReplyDelete"A gray sweater day" -- I feel that image! Linda, Frost's poem speaks to me because -- since our move -- we haven't had those friendly, in the moment conversations with neighbors. I've missed them.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy a friendly visit at A Word Edgewise! I love the comfortable and casual tone you take with Mr. Frost. No doubt if he could, Linda, he would thrust his pen into its holder and take time to have a nice chat with you.
ReplyDeleteI treasure "gray sweater days"... thanks for this description and for these poems. I sat in my gray sweater and enjoyed them both... and your friendly visit.
ReplyDeleteLove it!! A good reminder about the importance of those gray sweater days and taking the time to interact face to face with our fellow humans. I think Mr. Frost is probably smiling down at you today, happy you decided to chat with him.
ReplyDeleteI like this a lot! The imagery is really concise and clear. I know exactly the day and feeling you're invoking here. Thanks for sharing this today! It is definitely a gray sweater day here in Baltimore.
ReplyDeleteSo glad I stopped by for this chat with you on this gray sweater day. You've invoked a lovely image of one of my favorite poems and poets. We need to make more time for friendly visits. Thanks for yours.
ReplyDeleteI love this conversation with Robert Frost. A grey sweater moment. I imagine a cup of tea and some
ReplyDeleteScones. When I take the time for friendly visits my life is richer.
I think I only really understood Frost's poem after having lived in the country for a bit, Linda - love your grey sweatered response!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Both the reminder of Frost's poem and the introduction of yours.
ReplyDeleteBoth are beautiful, Linda, and I'm glad you've shown up here for a friendly visit as well :)
ReplyDelete