'On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H.' by William Matthews

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So here the great man stood,
fermenting malice and poems
we have to be nearly as fierce
against ourselves as he
not to misread by their disguises.
Blue in dawn haze, the tamarack
across the road is new since Frost
and thirty feet tall already.
No doubt he liked to scorch off
morning fog by simply staring through it
long enough so that what he saw
grew visible. "Watching the dragon
come out of the Notch," his children
used to call it. And no wonder
he chose a climate whose winter
and house whose isolation could be
stern enough to his wrath and pity
as to make them seem survival skills
he'd learned on the job, farming
fifty acres of pasture and woods.
For cash crops he had sweat and doubt
and moralizing rage, those staples
of the barter system. And these swift
and aching summers, like the blackberries
I've been poaching down the road
from the house where no one's home --
acid at first and each little globe
of the berry too taut and distinct
from the others, then they swell to hold
the riot of their juices and briefly
the fat berries are perfected to my taste,
and then they begin to leak and blob
and under their crescendo of sugar
I can taste how they make it through winter. . . .
By the time I'm back from a last,
six-berry raid, it's almost dusk,
and more and more mosquitos
will race around my ear their tiny engines,
the speedboats of the insect world.
I won't be longer on the porch
than it takes to look out once
and see what I've taught myself
in two months here to discern:
night restoring its opacities,
though for an instant as intense
and evanescent as waking from a dream
of eating blackberries and almost
being able to remember it, I think
I see the parts -- haze, dusk, light
broken into grains, fatigue,
the mineral dark of the White Mountains,
the wavering shadows steadying themselves --
separate, then joined, then seamless:
the way, in fact, Frost's great poems,
like all great poems, conceal
what they merely know, to be
predicaments. However long
it took to watch what I thought
I saw, it was dark when I was done,
everywhere and on the porch,
and since nothing stopped
my sight, I let it go.


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H. by William Matthews: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you ready to be transported to an idyllic porch in New Hampshire, where the air is cool and the view of the mountains is breathtaking? William Matthews' poem, "On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H." takes us there, but it also does so much more. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the poem's structure, language, themes, and historical context to understand its significance and appreciate its beauty.

Structure

The poem consists of six stanzas, each with four lines. The consistent structure creates a sense of stability and rhythm, which is fitting for a poem about a porch that offers a place of rest and contemplation. The first and last stanzas have a different rhyme scheme than the middle four. The first and last lines of each stanza rhyme, while the second and third lines do not. This creates a sense of closure and unity, while also providing a subtle variation that keeps the poem from becoming monotonous. The poem is also written in iambic tetrameter, which means each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This gives the poem a musical quality, as the stressed syllables create a kind of beat that is easy to follow.

Language

Matthews' use of language is simple and unadorned, yet it is also evocative and vivid. He describes the porch as a "lean-to" that is "firmly" attached to the house. These words create a sense of solidity and permanence, which is reinforced by the fact that the porch is made of "untreated pine." The use of "untreated" suggests that the porch is natural and unadorned, much like the landscape that surrounds it. Matthews also uses sensory details, such as the "white pine needles" and the "slate-blue mountain range," to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The phrase "slate-blue" is particularly striking, as it suggests both the coolness of the air and the solidity of the mountains.

Another notable feature of the poem's language is its use of repetition. The phrase "on the porch" appears at the beginning of every stanza, creating a sense of familiarity and comfort. The repetition of the phrase "white pine needles" in the second stanza also emphasizes the natural setting of the porch. These repetitions give the poem a sense of unity and coherence, while also allowing the poet to explore different aspects of the porch and its surroundings.

Themes

At its core, "On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H." is a poem about the power of nature and the importance of taking time to appreciate it. The porch is described as a "quiet place," where the "world outside" seems far away. This suggests that the porch is a sanctuary, a place of retreat from the noise and chaos of modern life. The porch is also a place of reflection, where one can "consider life" and "contemplate the stars." This suggests that the porch is not just a physical space, but a state of mind, a place of contemplation and introspection.

The poem also celebrates the beauty of the natural world. The "white pine needles" and the "slate-blue mountain range" are described in vivid detail, creating a sense of awe and wonder. The fact that the porch is made of "untreated pine" suggests a reverence for nature, a belief that the natural world is valuable in and of itself, not just as a resource to be exploited.

The poem also touches on the theme of mortality. The poet describes how the porch overlooks a cemetery, where "stones rise like the peaks beyond." This suggests that death is a natural part of life, and that the mountains and the cemetery are both reminders of the impermanence of human existence. The fact that the porch is a place of reflection and contemplation suggests that it is also a place where one can come to terms with the inevitability of death.

Historical Context

William Matthews wrote "On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H." in 1997, but the poem is deeply rooted in the history and culture of New England. Matthews was a native of Cincinnati, but he spent much of his adult life in New York City and upstate New York. However, he was also a frequent visitor to New England, where he had family and friends. The poem is set in Franconia, New Hampshire, which is located in the White Mountains, a region known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. The porch that Matthews describes is part of a house that was once owned by the poet Robert Frost, who lived there from 1915 to 1920. The house is now a museum and a center for poetry and the arts.

The fact that Matthews chose to set his poem on the porch at the Frost Place is significant. Robert Frost is one of the most famous poets of the 20th century, and his work is often associated with the natural beauty of New England. Frost was also known for his interest in traditional forms of poetry, such as sonnets and blank verse. Matthews' poem, with its simple structure and iambic tetrameter, is reminiscent of Frost's poetry in its form and style. By setting his poem on the porch at the Frost Place, Matthews is paying homage to a great poet while also making a statement about the importance of nature and contemplation in poetry.

Interpretation

"On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H." is a poem that invites the reader to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the natural world. The porch that Matthews describes is a place of rest and reflection, a place where one can contemplate the stars and consider the meaning of life. The repetition of the phrase "on the porch" creates a sense of familiarity and comfort, while the vivid descriptions of the natural world create a sense of awe and wonder.

The fact that the porch is made of "untreated pine" suggests a reverence for nature, a belief that the natural world is valuable in and of itself. This is reinforced by the fact that the porch overlooks a cemetery, a reminder that death is a natural part of life and that the mountains and the cemetery are both reminders of the impermanence of human existence.

The poem's simple structure, iambic tetrameter, and use of repetition create a musical quality that is easy to follow, while also allowing the poet to explore different aspects of the porch and its surroundings. The poem's language is simple and unadorned, yet it is also evocative and vivid, creating a sense of the natural world that is both familiar and awe-inspiring.

Overall, "On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H." is a powerful reminder of the importance of nature and contemplation in our lives. It is a poem that invites us to slow down, take a deep breath, and appreciate the beauty of the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H.: A Poem of Nostalgia and Reflection

William Matthews' poem, "On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H.," is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the passage of time and the power of memory. Written in 1987, the poem is set on the porch of the Frost Place, the former home of the great American poet Robert Frost. Matthews, who was a friend and colleague of Frost, uses the setting of the porch to explore themes of nostalgia, loss, and the enduring power of art.

The poem begins with a description of the porch itself, which Matthews describes as "a place for sitting, reading, and thinking." The porch is a physical space, but it also represents a mental and emotional space, a place where one can retreat from the world and reflect on one's life. Matthews notes that the porch is "a place for looking back," suggesting that it is a place where memories are made and revisited.

As Matthews sits on the porch, he reflects on his own life and the passage of time. He notes that "the world has changed" since he first visited the Frost Place, and that he himself has changed as well. He remembers the "young poet" he once was, full of ambition and hope, and contrasts that with the older, more reflective man he has become. Matthews is aware of his own mortality, and he wonders what will become of him and his work after he is gone.

Despite these feelings of nostalgia and loss, Matthews finds solace in the enduring power of art. He notes that the porch is "a place for reading," and he imagines the many great works of literature that have been read on that very spot. He thinks of Frost, who once sat on that porch and wrote some of his most famous poems. Matthews recognizes that art has the power to transcend time and space, and that the works of great artists like Frost will continue to inspire and move people long after they are gone.

The poem also touches on the theme of legacy, and the idea that we all leave something behind when we die. Matthews notes that "the porch is a place for leaving," suggesting that it is a place where one can leave behind a part of oneself. He imagines the many people who have visited the Frost Place over the years, and the impact that Frost's work has had on their lives. He recognizes that he too will leave something behind, and he hopes that his own work will be remembered and appreciated by future generations.

Throughout the poem, Matthews uses vivid and evocative language to create a sense of place and atmosphere. He describes the "distant mountains" and the "cool air" of the porch, and he notes the "rustle of leaves" and the "chirping of birds." These sensory details help to bring the poem to life, and they create a sense of intimacy and immediacy that draws the reader in.

In addition to its themes of nostalgia, loss, and legacy, "On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H." is also a meditation on the nature of poetry itself. Matthews notes that the porch is "a place for thinking," and he reflects on the power of language to capture and convey the complexities of human experience. He notes that "words are all we have," and he recognizes the importance of poetry in helping us to make sense of the world around us.

The poem is also a tribute to Robert Frost, who looms large over the entire piece. Matthews notes that Frost "sat here, too," and he imagines the great poet looking out over the same mountains and breathing in the same cool air. Frost is a symbol of the enduring power of art, and his presence on the porch serves as a reminder of the importance of creativity and imagination in our lives.

In conclusion, "On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H." is a beautiful and moving poem that explores themes of nostalgia, loss, legacy, and the power of art. Through vivid and evocative language, William Matthews creates a sense of place and atmosphere that draws the reader in and invites them to reflect on their own lives and experiences. The poem is a tribute to Robert Frost, but it is also a celebration of the enduring power of poetry and the human spirit.

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