Two such as you with such a master speed, cannot be parted nor be swept away, from one another once you are agreed, that life is only life forevermore, together wing to wing and oar to oar.
Robert FrostRead
I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree~ And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more, But dipped its top and set me down again. That would be good both going and coming back. One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a desire for freedom and the joy of returning to childhood innocence.
In this quote, Robert Frost reflects on the simple joys of life and the nostalgic yearning for carefree moments. Climbing a birch tree symbolizes a desire to escape the burdens of adult responsibilities and to reconnect with the playful spirit of childhood. The imagery of climbing towards heaven suggests a pursuit of dreams and aspirations, while the idea of being a 'swinger of birches' emphasizes the importance of balance in life—between striving for higher ideals and appreciating the beauty of returning to one's roots.
Themes
Birch TreeFreedomNostalgiaChildhoodBalance
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to inspire students about the importance of cherishing their roots while pursuing their dreams.
More from Robert Frost
All quotes →You have freedom when you're easy in your harness.
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God made a beauteous garden With lovely flowers strown, But one straight, narrow pathway That was not overgrown. And to this beauteous garden He brought mankind to live, And said "To you, my children, These lovely flowers I give. Prune ye my vines and fig trees, With care my flowers tend, But keep the pathway open Your home is at the end." God's Garden
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'Warm in December, cold in June, you say?' _x000D_ _x000D_ I don't suppose the water's changed at all. _x000D_ _x000D_ You and I know enough to know it's warm _x000D_ _x000D_ Compared with cold, and cold compared with warm. _x000D_ _x000D_ But all the fun's in how you say a thing.
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For, dear me, why abandon a belief, Merely because it ceases to be true, Cling to it long enough, and not a doubt, It will turn true again, for so it goes.
Robert FrostRead
The question that he frames in all but words is what to make of a diminished thing.
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