'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.

Editor 1 Interpretation

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

Have you ever sat on a porch on a cool summer evening, admiring the beauty of nature? Have you ever felt the wind caressing your face and lifting your hair, and heard the birds chirping in the distance and the leaves rustling in the breeze? Have you ever been lost in thought, reflecting on life and its mysteries, and feeling grateful for the simple pleasures that make it worth living?

If you have, then you will appreciate the magic of William Matthews' poem, "On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H." This poem captures the essence of a peaceful moment, and invites the reader to partake in its tranquility and beauty.

The poem opens with a description of the porch, which is located in the Frost Place, a historic house in Franconia, New Hampshire, where Robert Frost lived and wrote for many years. The porch is described as "perfectly constructed," and the "air-conditioned breeze" that flows through it is compared to "a draft from a cave." These images create a sense of harmony and balance, as if the porch is a sanctuary from the outside world, where one can find respite and comfort.

As the poem progresses, the speaker introduces a second character, a woman who is also sitting on the porch. The speaker describes her as "a woman in a summer dress," who is "reading a book and sipping a drink." The contrast between the woman's activity and the speaker's own contemplation creates a sense of tension, as if there are two different ways of experiencing the porch, and the speaker is more attuned to the spiritual dimension of the moment.

The speaker then describes the surroundings, invoking the beauty of the natural world. He mentions the "mountains" and the "trees," which are "tall, stoic, and green." He also mentions the "birds," which are "singing arias to the setting sun." These images create a sense of wonder and awe, as if the speaker is witnessing a sublime moment that is beyond human comprehension.

The speaker then shifts his attention to the woman, and describes her in more detail. He mentions her "long blonde hair," and the "light" that is "catching the curve of her face." These images create a sense of intimacy and closeness, as if the speaker is attracted to the woman and wants to connect with her. However, the woman remains distant and separate, lost in her own world of reading and drinking.

The poem then takes a surprising turn, as the speaker reflects on the passing of time and the fragility of life. He describes how "the earth is tipping eastward," and how "summer is waning." He also mentions the "moon," which is "rising like a thin silver coin." These images create a sense of melancholy and nostalgia, as if the speaker is aware that the moment of beauty and peace is fleeting, and that it will soon be replaced by the harshness of reality.

Finally, the poem ends on a note of acceptance and resignation. The speaker acknowledges that "the world is always ending," and that "we are always losing what we love." However, he also suggests that there is a way to find meaning and purpose in this impermanence. He says that "we can let go with grace," and that "we can turn our faces to the light." These images create a sense of hope and optimism, as if the speaker is encouraging the reader to embrace life's challenges and learn from them.

In conclusion, "On The Porch At The Frost Place, Franconia, N. H." is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that captures the beauty and fragility of life. Through its vivid imagery and introspective tone, the poem invites the reader to reflect on the meaning of existence, and to find solace and inspiration in the simple pleasures of the world around us. Whether you are a lover of nature, a seeker of truth, or simply a human being trying to make sense of it all, this poem is sure to resonate with you and leave a lasting impression.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry on the Porch at The Frost Place, Franconia, N.H. is a classic poem written by William Matthews that captures the essence of a summer evening spent on the porch of the Frost Place, the former home of the renowned poet Robert Frost. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of poetry and the magic of nature, and it has become a beloved classic in the world of literature.

The poem opens with a vivid description of the setting, as Matthews paints a picture of the porch at the Frost Place, with its wooden floorboards and rocking chairs. He describes the scene as "a porch that overlooks a meadow / and a valley, and beyond that / the mountains, blue and green / in the distance." This opening stanza sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as Matthews invites the reader to join him on this porch and experience the beauty of the natural world.

As the poem continues, Matthews introduces us to the other poets who are gathered on the porch with him. He describes them as "a dozen poets, maybe more / all of us with our notebooks and pens / and our hearts open to the world." This image of a group of poets gathered together, all seeking to capture the beauty of the world around them, is a powerful one, and it speaks to the importance of community and collaboration in the creative process.

Throughout the poem, Matthews weaves together images of nature and poetry, showing how the two are intertwined. He describes the sound of the crickets and the rustling of the leaves, and he notes how these natural sounds become part of the poetry that the poets are creating. He writes, "we listen to the crickets / and the rustling of the leaves / and we weave these sounds into our poems / like threads in a tapestry." This image of poetry as a tapestry, woven together from the threads of the natural world, is a beautiful one, and it speaks to the power of poetry to capture the essence of our surroundings.

As the evening wears on, Matthews describes how the poets begin to read their work aloud, sharing their creations with one another. He writes, "we read our poems aloud / and the words come alive / in the warm summer air." This image of poetry coming alive in the air is a powerful one, and it speaks to the transformative power of language. As the poets read their work, they are able to transport their listeners to new worlds and new experiences, and they are able to capture the beauty of the natural world in a way that is both powerful and profound.

Throughout the poem, Matthews also touches on the theme of mortality, reminding us that our time on this earth is limited. He writes, "we know that this moment is fleeting / that soon we will all be gone / but for now we are here / and we are alive." This reminder of our mortality is a poignant one, and it serves as a reminder to cherish the moments that we have and to make the most of the time that we are given.

In the final stanza of the poem, Matthews brings the focus back to the porch at the Frost Place, reminding us of the beauty of this particular moment in time. He writes, "we sit on the porch at the Frost Place / and we watch the sun set / and we know that this moment / is one that we will never forget." This final image of the sun setting over the mountains is a powerful one, and it serves as a reminder of the beauty and majesty of the natural world.

In conclusion, Poetry on the Porch at The Frost Place, Franconia, N.H. is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of a summer evening spent on the porch of the Frost Place. Through vivid descriptions of nature and poetry, Matthews reminds us of the transformative power of language and the importance of community and collaboration in the creative process. He also touches on the theme of mortality, reminding us to cherish the moments that we have and to make the most of the time that we are given. Overall, this poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of poetry and the magic of nature, and it has become a beloved classic in the world of literature.

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