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When I go up through the mowing field, by Robert Frost — Analysis & Translation

2 min read English

Original Poem

When I go up through the mowing field, The headless aftermath, Smooth-laid like thatch with the heavy dew, Half closes the garden path. And when I come to the garden ground, The whir of sober birds Up from the tangle of withered weeds Is sadder than any words A tree beside the wall stands bare, But a leaf that lingered brown, Disturbed, I doubt not, by my thought, Comes softly rattling down.

Translation (English)

When I walk through the field after it's been mowed, The leftover grass, Is laid smoothly like a roof with heavy dew, Almost blocks the garden path. And when I reach the garden, The sound of quiet birds Rising from the tangled dead plants Is more sorrowful than words can express. A tree by the wall is bare, But a brown leaf that stayed, Disturbed, probably by my thoughts, Falls gently making a rattling sound.

About the Poet

Robert Frost (Early 20th century)

Robert Lee Frost (1874 – 1963) was an American poet known for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. He received four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry and became a significant public literary figure in America.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Historical Context

Literary Form
Lyric poem
When Written
Published in 1915
Background
The poem reflects Frost's exploration of themes related to nature, human emotion, and the passage of time, using the New England landscape as a backdrop.

Sources: https://poets.org/poem/late-walk, https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Boy's_Will/A_Late_Walk, https://www.americanpoems.com/poets/robertfrost/a-late-walk/

Detailed Explanation

Robert Frost's poem 'A Late Walk' captures the melancholy and reflective mood of a walk through a field and garden in late autumn. The poem begins with the speaker describing the aftermath of mowing, where the grass is left smooth and covered with dew, partially blocking the path. As the speaker moves to the garden, the sound of birds rising from the dead plants evokes a sense of sadness that words cannot capture. The final stanza depicts a bare tree with a single brown leaf that falls softly, possibly disturbed by the speaker's thoughts. This imagery reflects themes of decay, change, and introspection, as the natural world mirrors the speaker's inner emotions. Frost's use of simple yet evocative language and imagery highlights the transient beauty of nature and the inevitable passage of time.

Themes

  • Nature
  • Melancholy
  • Change
  • Introspection

Literary Devices

  • Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the field, garden, and tree create a strong visual picture.
  • Personification: The leaf is described as being disturbed by thought, attributing human-like qualities.
  • Metaphor: The aftermath is compared to thatch, suggesting a covering or closure.
  • Alliteration: Repeated sounds in 'smooth-laid like thatch' and 'sober birds' enhance the musical quality.

Word Dictionary

Word Meaning Translation Transliteration
mowing cutting grass the act of cutting down grass or crops mo-ing
aftermath result what remains after an event, especially a destructive one aft-er-math
thatch roof made of straw a roof covering of straw, reeds, or similar material thach
sober serious not drunk; serious and thoughtful so-ber
withered dried up dried out and shriveled with-erd
linger stay longer to remain in a place longer than necessary ling-er
rattling making a noise producing a series of short, sharp knocking sounds rat-ling

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