"For Once, Then, Something" by Robert Frost

For Once, Then, Something

Others taunt me with having knelt at well-curbs

Always wrong to the light, so never seeing

Deeper down in the well than where the water

Gives me back in a shining surface picture

Me myself in the summer heaven godlike

Looking out of a wreath of fern and cloud puffs.

Once, when trying with chin against a well-curb,

I discerned, as I thought, beyond the picture,

Through the picture, a something white, uncertain,

Something more of the depths—and then I lost it.

Water came to rebuke the too clear water.

One drop fell from a fern, and lo, a ripple

Shook whatever it was lay there at bottom,

Blurred it, blotted it out. What was that whiteness?

Truth? A pebble of quartz? For once, then, something.

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

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Who wrote the poem "Dust of Snow"?

Robert Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963)

Robert Frost was an American poet who was born in San Francisco, California. Frost’s life was marked by grief and loss. When he was 11, his father died of tuberculosis, leaving just eight dollars. Frost’s mother died of cancer when he was 26. Mental illness ran in his family. He and his mother suffered from depression, and his sister and his daughter were committed to mental hospitals. Using realistic depictions of rural life, his poems often examined complex social and philosophical themes. Frost’s first book was published at the age of 40, but he ended up winning four Pulitzer Prizes for poetry and becoming the most famous poet of his time.

"For Once, Then, Something" explanation

In the poem, the poet grapples with his personal exploration and the questioning of the limits of human perception. Looking into a well, the speaker tries to see his reflection. This can symbolize the poet's attempt to deeply understand an object. However, being on the wrong side, he can't see into the well properly, which may symbolize the difficulties we face when trying to understand something beyond our perception. At one point though he saw something more. This could symbolize the truth itself or merely emphasize the importance of personal understanding rather than seeking truth itself. This poem is another example of Frost’s exploration of human life and understanding, and their limits through the lens of nature.

Speech: “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” BY William Shakespeare (from Macbeth, spoken by Macbeth)

 

“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow”

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

To the last syllable of recorded time;

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

 

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poem video👇

https://youtu.be/NbMvStsBi-4

Who wrote the poem "A Madrigal"?

William Shakespeare (April 26, 1564 – April 23, 1616)

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor of the Renaissance era. He is regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon." Few public records remain about his private life, causing speculations about his physical appearances, sexuality, religious beliefs and the authorship of some of his works. His works demonstrate a wide range of human emotions and conflicts, touching so many people's minds throughout the world for over 400 years.

“Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow”

This speech is a soliloquy delivered by Macbeth in Shakespeare’s famous play “Macbeth.” Upon hearing about his wife’s death, Macbeth deplores the meaninglessness and futility of life.

"Sonnet – To Science" by Edgar Allan Poe

 

Sonnet – To Science

Science! true daughter of Old Time thou art!

Who alterest all things with thy peering eyes.

Why preyest thou thus upon the poet’s heart,

Vulture, whose wings are dull realities?

How should he love thee? or how deem thee wise,

Who wouldst not leave him in his wandering

To seek for treasure in the jewelled skies,

Albeit he soared with an undaunted wing?

Hast thou not dragged Diana from her car,

And driven the Hamadryad from the wood

To seek a shelter in some happier star?

Hast thou not torn the Naiad from her flood,

The Elfin from the green grass, and from me

The summer dream beneath the tamarind tree?

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poem video👇

https://youtu.be/tcpgRSQetj4

Who wrote the poem "Sonnet – To Science"?

Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849)

Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. He is best known for his poetry as a central figure of Romanticism in the US and short stories as an important contributor in such emerging genres as mystery, detective fiction, and science fiction. He was also the first well-known professional writer, unfortunately resulting in a financially difficult career. Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1809, but his father abandoned the family in 1810, and his mother died the following year. He was raised as a foster child by John and Francis Allan in Virginia. His academic excellence was marred by his bad habits, and he had to leave the University of Virginia when his foster father refused to pay his gambling debts. In 1827, Poe joined the US Army and published his first collection of poems. Later he quit his military career, changed his focus to prose, and became editors of literary journals. In 1836, he married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm. After she died of tuberculosis in 1847, Poe’s depression and alcoholism got worse. Although he died in 1849 at age 40, the cause of his death is unknown and still controversial among disease, alcoholism, substance abuse, suicide, and others.

"Sonnet – To Science" explanation

The speaker condemns science for the damage it caused by revealing scientific truths behind artistic and mythical imagination.

"Crossing the Bar" by Alfred Lord Tennyson

 

Crossing the Bar 

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

 

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

Turns again home.

 

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

When I embark;

 

For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have cross’d the bar.

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

https://youtu.be/TLqqA1Q9vWg

Who wrote the poem "Crossing the Bar"?

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (August 6, 1809 – October 6, 1892)

Alfred, Lord Tennyson was one of the most popular poets of the Victorian era. As the fourth of 12 children, Tennyson showed a literary talent from an early age. He wrote 6,000-line epic poem at 12. His father, a reverend, suffered from mental breakdowns and alcoholism. One of his brothers was committed to an asylum, and another became an opium addict. His poetic success hadn’t come until his 30’s. Later he became Queen Victoria’s poet laureate following William Wordsworth, from 1850 until his death. He was a successor and consummator of the Romantic movement. His works delve into such themes as medieval legends, classical myths, and questions about man’s nature and destiny.

"Crossing the Bar" explanation

The speaker in the poem talks about a sailing on the sea as a metaphor of a journey from life to death. He states that death is something not to be mournful about but to be embraced calmly and peacefully.

 

"Blizzard" by William Carlos Williams

 

Blizzard

Snow:

years of anger following

hours that float idly down —

the blizzard

drifts its weight

deeper and deeper for three days

or sixty years, eh? Then

the sun! a clutter of

yellow and blue flakes —

Hairy looking trees stand out

in long alleys

over a wild solitude.

The man turns and there —

his solitary track stretched out

upon the world.

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

Poem Video👇

https://youtu.be/ezsZ5HofkFw

Who wrote the poem "Blizzard"?

William Carlos Williams (September 17, 1883 – March 4, 1963)

William Carlos Williams was an American poet, writer, and physician. As a family doctor and leading poet of Imagist movement, he practiced medicine by day and wrote at night. He was known for his experimental and innovative poetic style while maintaining a remarkably conventional life.

"Blizzard" explanation

In the poem, the speaker describes a snowstorm using vivid imagery. The blizzard might mean the poet’s personal life or, more broadly, the history of the human race.

"The World Is Against Me" by Edgar A. Guest

 

The World Is Against Me

'The world is against me,' he said with a sigh.

'Somebody stops every scheme that I try.

The world has me down and it's keeping me there;

I don't get a chance. Oh, the world is unfair!

When a fellow is poor then he can't get a show;

The world is determined to keep him down low.'

'What of Abe Lincoln?' I asked. 'Would you say

That he was much richer than you are to-day?

He hadn't your chance of making his mark,

And his outlook was often exceedingly dark;

Yet he clung to his purpose with courage most grim

And he got to the top. Was the world against him?'

'What of Ben Franklin? I've oft heard it said

That many a time he went hungry to bed.

He started with nothing but courage to climb,

But patiently struggled and waited his time.

He dangled awhile from real poverty's limb,

Yet he got to the top. Was the world against him?

'I could name you a dozen, yes, hundreds, I guess,

Of poor boys who've patiently climbed to success;

All boys who were down and who struggled alone,

Who'd have thought themselves rich if your fortune they'd known;

Yet they rose in the world you're so quick to condemn,

And I'm asking you now, was the world against them?'

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

https://youtu.be/ZfO3RRdwKWc

Who wrote the poem "The World Is Against Me"?

Edgar Albert Guest (August 20, 1881 ~ August 5, 1959)

Edgar Albert Guest was a Britishborn American poet who was popular in the first half of the 20th century. He wrote 11,000 poems which were syndicated in 300 newspapers. He became known as the People's Poet because his poems were easy to read and had an inspirational and optimistic view of everyday life with such themes as family, work, children, and God.

"The World Is Against Me" explanation

Some people are born with all the riches and advantages and yet crumble to self-inflicted tragedies. Some people are born with all kinds of misfortune and yet rise to fulfilled, happy life with sheer determination and perseverance. Although we cannot choose the conditions of our birth or upbringing, we can control how we deal with them. It is useless to complain about things we cannot change. Rather, we should focus what we can do to make the situation better, always reminding ourselves of things and people that we should be grateful for.

"Song of the Old Mother" by William Butler Yeats

 

Song of the Old Mother

I rise in the dawn, and I kneel and blow

Till the seed of the fire flicker and glow;

And then I must scrub and bake and sweep

Till stars are beginning to blink and peep;

And the young lie long and dream in their bed

Of the matching of ribbons for bosom and head,

And their days go over in idleness,

And they sigh if the wind but lift a tress:

While I must work because I am old,

And the seed of the fire gets feeble and cold.

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

https://youtu.be/H_lqTDNybDg

Who wrote the poem "Song of the Old Mother"?

William Butler Yeats (June 13, 1865 – January 28, 1939)

William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet, playwright, prose writer, and is widely considered as one of the greatest poets of the 20^th century. He was born to the Protestant, Anglo-Irish community that considered themselves English people born in Ireland and had largely controlled the economic, political, and social life of Ireland. However, Yeats strongly affirmed his Irish nationality and found inspiration in Irish legends and the occult in his early career. Later his poetry became more physical and realistic. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. 

"Song of the Old Mother" explanation

In the poem, the speaker is an aged woman who has many difficult household duties. The overall atmosphere implies her displeasure with the young children idly lying in bed dreaming about trifles. This poem was published in The Wind Among The Reeds in 1899 when 34-year-old Yeats was deep in love with Irish tradition and culture. Some critics interpret the poem that the old woman symbolizes the country of Ireland, serving her master England, while the English, symbolized by the idle children, are absorbed in petty matters.

"Sonnets are full of love" by Christina Rossetti

 

Sonnets are full of love

Sonnets are full of love, and this my tome

Has many sonnets: so here now shall be

One sonnet more, a love sonnet, from me

To her whose heart is my heart’s quiet home,

To my first Love, my Mother, on whose knee

I learnt love-lore that is not troublesome;

Whose service is my special dignity,

And she my loadstar while I go and come

And so because you love me, and because

I love you, Mother, I have woven a wreath

Of rhymes wherewith to crown your honored name:

In you not fourscore years can dim the flame

Of love, whose blessed glow transcends the laws

Of time and change and mortal life and death.

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

https://youtu.be/5eCT3Vgyolk

Who wrote the poem "Sonnets are full of love"?

Christina Rossetti (December 5, 1830 ~ December 29, 1894)

Christina Rossetti was an English poet who was lauded as one of the foremost female poets of the 19th-century Victorian era. She wrote romantic, devotional, and children's poems, marked by symbolism and intense feeling. Her literary status was often compared to that of Elizabeth Barren Browning, and upon Browning's death in 1861, Rossetti was hailed as Browning's rightful successor. She opposed slavery, cruelty to animals, and the exploitation of girls in under-age prostitution. Rossetti suffered from Graves' disease in the later decades of her life. In 1893, she was diagnosed of breast cancer and died of a recurrence in 1894.

"Sonnets are full of love" explanation

In the poem, the speaker expresses her deep love for her mother and cherishes their relationship. Rossetti was educated at home by her parents, and especially her mother is said to have played an important role in her education as a writer. This poem is dedicated to her mother and was published in her collection A Pageant and Other Poems.

"Mother O' Mine" by Rudyard Kipling

 

Mother o' Mine

If I were hanged on the highest hill,

Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!

I know whose love would follow me still,

Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!

 

If I were drowned in the deepest sea,

Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!

I know whose tears would come down to me,

Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!

 

If I were damned of body and soul,

I know whose prayers would make me whole,

Mother o' mine, O mother o' mine!

Enjoy the poem with beautiful music.

poem video👇

https://youtu.be/SvFKNT7Mds8

Who wrote the poem "Mother O' Mine"?

Joseph Rudyard Kipling (December 30, 1865 - January 18, 1936)

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was an English journalist, novelist, and poet. He was one of the most popular writers in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born in India, and his work including "The Jungle Book" showed much Indian influence. 

"Mother O' Mine" explanation

In the poem, the speaker praises and appreciates a mother’s unconditional love. A mother will always love her children no matter what and will do anything for them. This poem was published in the beginning of Kipling’s 1892 novel The Light That Failed. Some critics speculate that Kipling added this poem in the novel (which had a sad ending) to soothe his mother who reportedly preferred a happy ending to the novel.