Robert Frost (1874–1963). Miscellaneous Poems to 1920. 1920.
8. The Need of Being Versed in Country Things
(From Harpers Magazine, December 1920.)T
To the midnight sky a sunset glow.
Now the chimney was all of the house that stood,
Like a pistil after the petals go.
That would have joined the house in flame
Had it been the will of the wind, was left
To bear forsaken the place’s name.
For teams that came by the stony road
To drum on the floor with scurrying hoofs
And brush the mow with the summer load.
At broken windows flew out and in,
Their murmur more like the sigh we sigh
From too much dwelling on what has been.
And the aged elm, though touched with fire;
And the dry pump flung up an awkward arm;
And the fence post carried a strand of wire.
But though they rejoiced in the nest they kept,
One had to be versed in country things
Not to believe the phoebes wept.