Poem Analysis - Sitting By A Bush In Broad Sunlight

A Quiet Meditation on Faith and Creation

Robert Frost's "Sitting by a Bush in Broad Sunlight" is a reflective poem, imbued with a sense of quiet wonder and a touch of skepticism. The poem begins with a focus on the tangible, the inability to truly grasp the sun's power, then expands into a broader meditation on the origins of life and faith. The tone is contemplative, shifting from observation to philosophical inquiry. Ultimately, the poem suggests that while direct proof of divine action may be elusive, the echoes of those moments persist in our breath and our faith. The poem moves from the physical realm to the spiritual, urging a sense of humility regarding the grand mysteries of existence.

The Persistence of Creation's Spark

One of the central themes in the poem is the persistence of creation. The second stanza references the primordial moment when "dust really took in the sun," a clear allusion to the origin of life on Earth. Frost emphasizes that this was a singular event, a moment of profound transformation from which "all creatures still warmly suspire." The image of breathing, or "suspiring," links all living beings back to this original spark, suggesting that this moment of creation continues to fuel life. The poem underscores the idea that although the initial act of creation may not be directly repeatable or observable, its effects are ongoing and fundamental to our existence.

Faith as a Lingering Echo

The poem also explores the theme of faith in the absence of tangible proof. Frost juxtaposes the sun's impartation of flame with God's declaration of truth and subsequent withdrawal. He notes that after God "took the veil and withdrew," a "final hush...descended of old on the bush," hinting at the biblical story of the burning bush. This suggests a parallel between the physical creation and the spiritual revelation, both of which occurred in the past. Just as the breath sustains life, faith, the poem argues, sustains the human spirit, even without continuous, direct intervention from a divine source. The last two lines connect to this by stating "One impulse persists as our breath; The other persists as our faith," highlighting that these are two fundamental aspects of what defines our existence.

Symbols of Divine Presence and Absence

The poem employs several potent symbols. The sun itself represents both the life-giving force of nature and a potential symbol of God or a divine power. However, the opening lines which show that only a mere "ray" can be held between "thumb and fingers" reveals that it is also an elusive and ungraspable force. The dust that "took in the sun" symbolizes the potential for transformation and the origin of life. The "bush," especially given the reference to the "hush" that descended, clearly evokes the biblical story of the burning bush, thus serving as a symbol of divine communication and presence, immediately followed by divine withdrawal. This symbolic shift underscores the poem's exploration of faith and the absence of direct divine intervention in the present day.

A Question of Skepticism or Acceptance?

The poem's overall message balances skepticism and acceptance. While acknowledging the lack of readily available proof of divine action, Frost urges us not to "scoff" at the possibility. Is this a genuine call for faith, or is it a more nuanced reflection on the human need for meaning and purpose in a world where definitive answers are often absent? Perhaps Frost is suggesting that even without concrete evidence, the echoes of creation and divine presence – the breath of life and the persistence of faith – are enough to sustain us. The poem leaves us to ponder the balance between questioning and believing, acknowledging the mysteries that lie at the heart of existence.