A Dream Pang

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0iJJ22dho8X

“A Dream Pang” by Robert Frost

This poem was written in and published in 1913 along with other poems and during that time, Parini quotes from a critic, “These poems are intended by the author to possess a certain sequence, and to depict the various stages of a young man’s outlook on life…(these poems) did not rise above the ordinary” (129). As in, this poem is not as successful. During this time, Frost had been spending time with Elinor.

A Dream Pang

I had withdrawn in forest, and my song
Was swallowed up in leaves that blew alway;
And to the forest edge you came one day
(This was my dream) and looked and pondered long,
But did not enter, though the wish was strong:
You shook your pensive head as who should say,
‘I dare not—too far in his footsteps stray—
He must seek me would he undo the wrong.

Not far, but near, I stood and saw it all
Behind low boughs the trees let down outside;
And the sweet pang it cost me not to call
And tell you that I saw does still abide.
But ’tis not true that thus I dwelt aloof,
For the wood wakes, and you are here for proof.

Personal Reflection

My first guess was that this was a dream, hence the title. Not a bedtime dream but more of a day dream, or a wish. Frost is wanting or wishing for something he can’t have, “And to the forest you came one day (this was my dram) and looked pondered long/ But did not enter though the wish was strong” what comes to mind is Elinor. His wishes she would want him as much as he wants her. That dream or whatever he is dreaming “does still all abide” as in continue. I am not sure about the last two lines but my gist of this poem is it’s a dream. And according to Disney, a dream is a wish your heart makes.