13 Comments

Thank you for explaining why early 20th C copies of my old school magazine are about 90% poetry - submitted by boys and masters!

Will you write on Edward Thomas? Please!

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haha yes indeed, the poetry craze in schools was real---talent misallocation! I might, but I confess I do not love him the way I love some others. Time to re-read...

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A real pleasure to read this.

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I love these literary historical tidbits! Frost in England. That's fun to imagine.

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A very compelling moment in his life

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Apr 25Liked by Henry Oliver

Thank you for this review of Frost's real beginnings. It captures the spirit of that era, a time when poetry still was treasured for what it was and did. I'm headed to my library to pull down biography of Frost.

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Which one?

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Apr 25Liked by Henry Oliver

Thompson two-volume..

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Frost's life is quite unexpected. Great piece. Thanks for writing this. It reminds me of one my favorite, obscure Robert Frost quotes which may be relevant for your study of late bloomers:

“I couldn't have held my own and done myself credit unless I had been a quitter. My infant industries needed the protection of a dead space around them. Everyone was too strong for me, but at least I was strong enough not to stay where they were.”

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Fascinating - Frost is a favourite but I didn't know this unusual 'origin' story.

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His poems deepen as the years go by. Earth’s the right place for love, whether England or New Hampshire. I didn’t know about his late start or the role of serendipity in his career. Thank you.

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Thank God for that party then. He's one of my favorite poets.

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He's simply the best.

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