Frost at Midnight

Name: Frost at Midnight
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The poem opens with a serene winter scene, where the speaker reflects on the stillness of the night, interrupted only by the cry of an owl. In this solitude, the speaker contemplates the nature of silence and its impact on thought. The calmness of the environment evokes a sense of introspection, as the speaker finds companionship in the flickering flame of the fire and the presence of a sleeping infant beside him. The speaker recalls his childhood experiences at school, where he often daydreamed about his hometown and the church bells that marked the passage of time. These memories are intertwined with a longing for connection and the innocence of youth. The speaker's thoughts drift to the beauty of his birthplace, contrasting it with his own upbringing in a city filled with cloisters, where nature was largely absent. He expresses a deep affection for his child, envisioning a different future for the infant, one filled with the wonders of nature and the lessons it imparts. The speaker hopes that his child will experience the world in a way he could not, learning from the beauty of the landscape and the divine presence in all things. He believes that nature serves as a universal teacher, shaping the child's spirit and fostering a sense of inquiry. The poem concludes with an affirmation that all seasons will bring joy to the child, whether in the vibrancy of summer or the quiet beauty of winter. The imagery of icicles and the moon highlights the tranquility of the winter night, reinforcing the theme of nature's silent yet profound influence on human experience and understanding.

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge · First published 1798 · Genre: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry · 884 words

First lines

The Frost performs its secret ministry, Unhelped by any wind. The owlet's cry Came loud -- and hark, again! loud as before. The inmates of my cottage, all at rest, Have left me to that solitude, which suits Abstruser musings: save that at my side My cradled infant slumbers peacefully. 'Tis calm indeed! so calm, that it disturbs And vexes meditation with its strange And extreme silentness. Sea, hill, and wood, This populous village! Sea, and hill, and wood, With all the numberless goings-on of life, Inaudible as dreams! the thin blue flame Lies on my low-burnt fire, and quivers not; Only that film, which fluttered on the grate, Still flutters there, the sole unquiet thing. Methinks, its motion in this hush of nature Gives it dim sympathies with me who live, Making it a companionable form, Whose puny flaps and freaks the idling Spirit By its own moods interprets, every where Echo or mirror seeking of itself, And makes a toy of Thought.

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Frost at Midnight is listed on Textopian as a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, dated 1798 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Date: 1798 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romantic Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Nature Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Childhood Reflection
Length: 884 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Romantic Poetry — The poem embodies the characteristics of Romanticism, focusing on nature, emotion, and individual experience.
Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal feelings and thoughts, typical of lyric poetry.
Nature Poetry — Nature is a central theme, exploring its beauty and tranquility.
Philosophical Poetry — The poem reflects on existence, knowledge, and the relationship between the self and the universe.