Poets on Poetry - Robert Frost

Quotations and Excerpts from Master Poets, Reflecting Upon the Poetic Craft

Linda Ann Nickerson
"To be a poet is a condition, not a profession."

"Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words."

"Poetry is what gets lost in translation."


Robert Frost
(1874 - 1963)

Robert Frost, known for taking "the road less traveled by," certainly carved his own creative niche in the poetic world. In his words and his works, he pointed out the idiosyncrasies of the wordsmithing artist. A true poet is bound by his unceasing need to write. This does, indeed, make the poetic profession more like a prepossessing condition.

Many poems do begin in emotion, which then finds expression in verbal form (either spoken or written). Song lyrics may arise from similar origins. At least, the best ones seem to do so!

Poetry resists paraphrasing. Certainly, a Shakespearean sonnet may be reinterpreted into modern language, but not without sacrificing much of its beauty. Poems generally do not fare well when translated from one language to another. Rhythm, meter, rhyme and poetic language may suffer greatly from paraphrasing. When it comes to poetry, nothing beats the original, whether the tone be tragic, poignant or amusing.

Regarding humor and fun in poetry, Frost said this:

"A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom."

In the words of Motown's Smokey Robinson, "I second that emotion!"

Published by Linda Ann Nickerson - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle and Sports

Linda Ann Nickerson brings decades of reporting and a globally minded Midwestern perspective to a host of topics, balancing human interest with history, hard facts and often humor.   View profile

  • Robert Frost was born in San Francisco in 1874is family moved to New England when he was a boy.
  • 20th Century American poet Robert Frost won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry four times.
  • Frost won the prize in 1924, 1931, 1937 and 1943.
Linda Ann Nickerson has written and published many helpful holiday how-to's, humor pieces, poems, and informative articles. Click on her name at the top of this item to view additional content from this prolific author.

10 Comments

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  • Shovana 9/22/2008

    Frost is an amazing poet, I just wish I didn't have to write a 10,000 word essay on him...

  • Brett Davison 2/17/2008

    I think I like Frost's explanations best so far.

  • Lenora Murdock 2/14/2008

    An all time favorite!

  • Linda Ann Nickerson 2/13/2008

    Here's one more Frost quote I like: "Poets are like baseball pitchers. Both have their moments. The intervals are the tough things." Timing! Timing!

  • Eclectic Muse 2/13/2008

    Wonderful series on poets!!!

  • cathiesbloggs 2/12/2008

    Oh..I like this man !!!

  • Amy Brantley 2/12/2008

    One of my all time favorites :)

  • Carol Bengle Gilbert 2/12/2008

    A nice addition to your series.

  • Coffee Mugg 2/12/2008

    thank you Miss Linda for your insight on poetry. ken

  • jcorn 2/12/2008

    These poetry articles by you are delightful, thanks.

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