West-Running Brook

Written by Robert Frost

Narrated by Evan Schmitt

"West-Running Brook" is a collection of poetry by the renowned American poet Robert Frost, first published in 1928. The title poem serves as the centerpiece of the collection, with the overarching theme of the flow of time and the interconnectedness of past, present, and future.

In "West-Running Brook," Frost uses the metaphor of a brook that flows contrary to the usual direction, symbolizing the poet's own journey against the current of conventional wisdom and tradition. The brook becomes a powerful symbol of resilience and individuality, as well as a reflection of the poet's own introspection and exploration of the human experience.

Throughout the collection, Frost's signature style of writing in accessible yet profound language is evident. His poetry often explores themes of nature, rural life, and the complexities of human existence. With vivid imagery and keen observation, Frost invites readers to contemplate the beauty and mystery of the natural world, as well as the deeper truths and universal truths that lie beneath the surface.

Among the notable poems in the collection are "Spring Pools," which reflects on the cyclical nature of life and the passage of time; "The Silken Tent," a metaphor for the delicate balance between strength and flexibility in human relationships; and "Desert Places," which explores themes of isolation and existential despair amidst the vastness of the natural world.

"West-Running Brook" showcases Frost's mastery of form and language, as well as his ability to capture the complexities of the human condition with depth and nuance. Through its exploration of timeless themes and its lyrical beauty, the collection remains a testament to Frost's enduring legacy as one of America's most beloved poets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Riveting Publishing
• Release date: Feb 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798868619441

Robert Frost

Robert Frost (1874-1963) was an American poet. Born in San Francisco, Frost moved with his family to Lawrence, Massachusetts following the death of his father, a teacher and editor. There, he attended Lawrence High School and went on to study for a brief time at Dartmouth College before returning home to work as a teacher, factory worker, and newspaper delivery person. Certain of his calling as a poet, Frost sold his first poem in 1894, embarking on a career that would earn him acclaim and honor unlike any American poet before or since. Before his paternal grandfather’s death, he purchased a farm in Derry, New Hampshire for Robert and his wife Elinor. For the next decade, Frost worked on the farm while writing poetry in the mornings before returning to teaching once more. In 1912, having moved to England, Frost published A Boy’s Will, his first book of poems. Through the next several years, he wrote and published poetry while befriending such writers as Edward Thomas and Ezra Pound. In 1915, after publishing North of Boston (1914) in London, Frost returned to the United States to settle on another farm in Franconia, New Hampshire, where he continued writing and teaching and began lecturing. Over the next several decades, Frost published numerous collections of poems, including New Hampshire: A Poem with Notes and Grace Notes (1924) and Collected Poems (1931), winning a total of four Pulitzer Prizes and establishing his reputation as the foremost American poet of his generation.