"Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" Robert Frost

Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost
New Hampshire
1923

The year was 1967. The place, Longfellow Junior High, San Antonio, Texas. The project, to illustrate a poem. It was easy enough for this seventh grader to find pictures of snow and Robert Frost provided a pleasing enough poem for the assignment.

Fast forward to March 2010 when I photographed some of the crisp bright snow that had crystalized on the branches. Thoughts of that school building and  poem drifted through my mind.  Forty plus years ago and I still have fond memories of a classroom.

Muse back to days as a teenager. Were there disciplines involving old magazines, elmer's, and colored paper? Mine was the generation that read "The Old Man and the Sea" and  "The Red Pony", good old classics. We did not have the "Twilight" series or Harry Potter in the 60's.

There were; however, teachers who cared to instill a love for literature and learning in young minds. Today's students are still cutting and pasting. It may be clip art on the computer; nevertheless, the outlet for creativity still exists in education. Our schools today have excellent, trained teachers who reach deep into the hearts of their students and plant a world of knowledge, experience, and potential.

The education of our young people is a powerful responsibility for the local school systems. Appreciate and support the work and dedication of those who shape the next generation of readers. They will be the leaders, the voters, the decision makers of tomorrow's world. Volunteer, participate, and keep informed, for there are miles to go before we sleep! M

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