Birches
by Robert Frost
When I see birches bend to left and right
Across the lines of straighter darker trees,
I like to think some boy’s been swinging them.
But swinging doesn’t bend them down to stay
As ice-storms do. Often you must have seen them
Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning
After a rain. They click upon themselves
As the breeze rises, and turn many-colored
As the stir cracks and crazes their enamel.
Soon the sun’s warmth makes them shed crystal shells
Shattering and avalanching on the snow-crust—
Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away
You’d think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.
They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load,
And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed
So low for long, they never right themselves:
You may see their trunks arching in the woods
Years afterwards, trailing their leaves on the ground
Like girls on hands and knees that throw their hair
Before them over their heads to dry in the sun.
But I was going to say when Truth broke in
With all her matter-of-fact about the ice-storm
I should prefer to have some boy bend them
As he went out and in to fetch the cows—
Some boy too far from town to learn baseball,
Whose only play was what he found himself,
Summer or winter, and could play alone.
One by one he subdued his father’s trees
By riding them down over and over again
Until he took the stiffness out of them,
And not one but hung limp, not one was left
For him to conquer. He learned all there was
To learn about not launching out too soon
And so not carrying the tree away
Clear to the ground. He always kept his poise
To the top branches, climbing carefully
With the same pains you use to fill a cup
Up to the brim, and even above the brim.
Then he flung outward, feet first, with a swish,
Kicking his way down through the air to the ground.
So was I once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be.
It’s when I’m weary of considerations,
And life is too much like a pathless wood
Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs
Broken across it, and one eye is weeping
From a twig’s having lashed across it open.
I’d like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.
May no fate willfully misunderstand me
And half grant what I wish and snatch me away
Not to return. Earth’s the right place for love:
I don’t know where it’s likely to go better.
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.
Summary of “Birches”
This poem, “Birches,” by Robert Frost, presents a beautiful observation of birch trees bent low, and the speaker’s imaginative reflections upon them. The speaker initially muses whether a boy swinging from the trees caused the bends, before acknowledging the more likely explanation of ice storms weighing down the branches. However, he prefers the image of a boy at play, conjuring a vivid scene of youthful freedom and a connection with nature.
The central idea of “Birches” revolves around the desire to escape the weight of the world, to return to a simpler, more carefree time. The speaker longs to transcend earthly burdens, almost literally climbing into the heavens, and then returning refreshed to life on Earth. It is a poem about the power of imagination, the longing for lost youth, and the enduring beauty of the natural world.
Analysis of “Birches”
“Birches” is far more than just a description of trees; it’s a complex meditation on life, imagination, and the human desire for escape. Frost masterfully blends observation of nature with deeply personal reflection, creating a poem that resonates with readers on multiple levels.
The Bent Birches: Symbolism and Initial Observation
The poem opens with a striking visual: birches bent low to the ground. This immediately captures our attention and prompts us to ask why they are bent. Frost provides two explanations. The first, and the one he initially prefers, is the playful activity of a boy swinging from the branches.
“I like to think some boy’s been swinging them.”
This introduces a sense of joy, freedom, and a connection to a simpler past. However, Frost quickly acknowledges the more pragmatic, natural explanation: ice storms.
“But swinging doesn’t bend them down to stay
As ice-storms do.”
This contrast is crucial. It highlights the tension between the speaker’s imaginative desire and the reality of the natural world. The bent birches, therefore, become a symbol of both youthful play and the weight of external forces.
The Boy and His Play: A Nostalgic Ideal
The extended description of the boy swinging from the birches is central to the poem’s meaning. This isn’t just a nostalgic recollection; it’s an idealized vision of childhood freedom and a harmonious relationship with nature.
“One by one he subdued his father’s trees
By riding them down over and over again
Until he took the stiffness out of them…”
The verb “subdued” is interesting. It suggests a gentle mastery, a respect for the tree rather than a forceful domination. The boy doesn’t break the trees; he relaxes them, making them limp. This suggests a deeper understanding of nature, a way of interacting with it that is both playful and respectful.
The boy’s skill and carefulness are further emphasized:
“He always kept his poise
To the top branches, climbing carefully…”
This is not reckless abandon, but a controlled and deliberate act. It mirrors a broader theme in the poem: the importance of balance and poise in navigating life’s challenges.
Escapism and the Weariness of Life
As the poem progresses, the speaker’s longing for escape becomes increasingly pronounced. He admits that he is weary of considerations, overwhelmed by the burdens of adult life.
“It’s when I’m weary of considerations,
And life is too much like a pathless wood…”
The metaphor of the “pathless wood” is powerful. It represents the confusing and challenging nature of life, where we can easily get lost and disoriented. The speaker yearns to break free from these burdens, to find a moment of respite and renewal.
This desire for escape is linked to the earlier image of the boy swinging from the birches. The speaker dreams of being able to climb into the heavens, to transcend earthly concerns, and then return refreshed to life on Earth.
“I’d like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over.”
This isn’t a desire to abandon life, but to gain a new perspective on it. To return with a renewed sense of joy and purpose.
Earth as the Right Place for Love
Despite the yearning for escape, the poem ultimately affirms the value of earthly life, specifically, the importance of love.
“Earth’s the right place for love:
I don’t know where it’s likely to go better.”
This is a crucial line. It suggests that while we may long for transcendence, it’s on Earth, in the midst of our struggles and joys, that we find true meaning and fulfillment. Love, in all its forms, is what anchors us to this world and gives our lives purpose.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “Birches”
Frost masterfully employs a range of literary and poetic devices to enhance the meaning and impact of “Birches.”
Imagery
The poem is rich in vivid imagery, appealing to all five senses. We can see the bent birches, feel the cold of the ice storm, hear the cracking of branches, and imagine the sensation of swinging through the air. These sensory details create a powerful and immersive reading experience.
Metaphor and Symbolism
As discussed above, the birches themselves are a central symbol in the poem, representing both youthful play and the weight of life’s burdens. The “pathless wood” is a metaphor for the confusing and challenging nature of life.
Personification
Frost gives human qualities to the birches, describing them as if they can “right themselves” or be “subdued.”
Enjambment
The use of enjambment, where a phrase or sentence continues onto the next line, creates a sense of flow and momentum, mimicking the movement of the boy swinging through the air.
Free Verse
While “Birches” doesn’t adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter, it’s not entirely free verse either. Frost skillfully uses rhythm and cadence to create a musical effect. The poem feels natural and conversational, reflecting the speaker’s intimate thoughts and feelings.
Quotes for Reflection
The following lines from “Birches” can be used to spark discussions about the importance of imagination, the beauty of nature, and the challenges of life.
“I’d like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk…”
This quote encapsulates the speaker’s desire for escape and transcendence.
“One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.”
This simple line serves as a gentle reminder to embrace joy, freedom, and a connection with nature.
In conclusion, “Birches” is a deeply moving and thought-provoking poem that explores universal themes of memory, imagination, and the human desire for escape. Through vivid imagery, skillful use of literary devices, and a heartfelt exploration of personal reflection, Frost creates a poem that resonates with readers long after they’ve finished reading. It is a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate the human condition and offer solace in a complex world.