I thought this fine poem would garner some attention and thoughtfull discusion, maybe I thought wrong.
I never could interpret poetry. But it’s snowing here this morning, and this one makes me want to go saddle up and take a ride in the woods.
As an old (and I do mean old) English major, I will say that this has always been one of my favorites and not ‘worthy’ of the caustic remarks that it sometimes causes.
I have always thought that Frost was saying the following:
The scene he describes (in remarkably simple yet full-view words) is speaking to his soul; to a peacefulness in him that is deep (deep woods). It also is quiet, as in the quiet of his soul.
His horse, shaking the bells on the harness, is the clash (clasing bells) between the inner soul and the harsh realities of the outer world that requires attention to responsibilities.
Hence, does he let himself be lost forever in the quiet and peacefulness of his soul, or attend to his responsibilities? Or, put another way, how long can he allow himself to stay here in the woods and enjoy the serenity of the scene and how it touches his soul?
In the end, he attends to his responsibilities, knowing that one day, at long last, he will be able to stop and rest in the peacefulness of his soul.
Thank you for posting this poem on the last day of the year. May we all have a peaceful and blessed New Year.