A Late Walk
A Late Walk - context Summary
Published in a Boy's Will
Published in 1913 in Frost’s first U.S. collection A Boy’s Will, "A Late Walk" places a quiet autumn scene at the center of its meaning. The speaker moves through a dew‑laid field and a bare garden, noticing the subdued stirrings of birds and a single leaf falling. The poem links close natural observation with human feeling: small late-season details—the rattling leaf, the last aster—register loss, attention, and the impulse to bring a fading flower to another person. It reflects Frost’s rural New England focus on seasonal change and everyday intimacy.
Read Complete AnalysesWhen I go up through the mowing field, The headless aftermath, Smooth-laid like thatch with the heavy dew, Half closes the garden path. And when I come to the garden ground, The whir of sober birds Up from the tangle of withered weeds Is sadder than any words A tree beside the wall stands bare, But a leaf that lingered brown, Disturbed, I doubt not, by my thought, Comes softly rattling down. I end not far from my going forth By picking the faded blue Of the last remaining aster flower To carry again to you.
Feel free to be first to leave comment.