I read an earlier draft of this poem to you on Friday which was winter solstice. Robert Frost alludes to winter solstice in his poem “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening.” This poem is a derivative work / rewrite of his original. I believe I’ve improved upon it a great deal since my Friday reading. Enjoy!
Whose words these are, I think I know
He lies beside Old First Church though
He will not mind me borrowing
his memory of the falling snow.
My patrons, they may think it queer
to pause my mad rush toward new year
to ponder snow and frozen lakes
the darkest evening of the year.
If Frost could give my shoulder shake
to ask if there is some mistake
my cheeks would burn with my full-earned
admonishment, my pride forsook.
The words are lovely, dark and deep
But I have promises to keep
And sons whose eager needs run steep
And years to go before I sleep