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A Poem for October: Robert Frost

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Musings about the New England Poet

Catherine Boeckmann
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Every year, when October arrives, we enjoy reading this beautiful poem: “October” by Robert Frost. In it, he urges nature to slow down—before the leaves fall and the chilly weather begins!

“October” by Robert Frost

(from A Boy’s Will, 1913)

O hushed October morning mild,
Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,
Should waste them all.
The crows above the forest call;
Tomorrow they may form and go.
O hushed October morning mild,
Begin the hours of this day slow,
Make the day seem to us less brief.
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know.
Release one leaf at break of day;
At noon release another leaf;
One from our trees, one far away.
Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst.
Slow, slow!
For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,
Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,
Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—
For the grapes’ sake along the wall.

Did you know that Robert Frost was a farmer poet? He owned a small 18-acre farm in Derry, New Hampshire. Frost would milk cows at midnight to stay up late writing poetry and not have to get up too early!

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Frost moved to his farm in 1900 when many people were abandoning farms due to industrialization. Towns in the area started “Old Home Days” celebrations (a tradition practiced today), inviting former residents to spend a week of summer back “home” to experience the best of rural life.

Many of Frost’s poems—such as “October”—reflect his love of nature but also seem to speak to that loss of old-time country values. He truly brought the American landscape and spirit to life.

At The Old Farmer’s Almanac, we have our own farmer poets. If you have a copy of The Old Farmer’s Almanac, you’ll see the “Farmer’s Calendar” musings on the right of every monthly calendar page.

Fall
About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
 

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Comments

Laura (not verified)

1 month 2 weeks ago

A wonderful start to a crisp fall morning! I have always enjoyed Robert Frost.

Anne (not verified)

1 month 2 weeks ago

Wonderful poem; poetry and poet~(Frost also spent time in Conn.) : )

Daisy (not verified)

8 years 10 months ago

I wish our Octobers were like this!!! I live in England, so we just get wet autumns, with the occasional sleet or hail, never snow and never, ever sunny!!!

Ann Hicks (not verified)

15 years 1 month ago

This time of year in Indiana is certainly a glorious season for us to experience many of the unique gifts nature has given us. As a friend of mine said, what could make a person more joyful than to walk outside on a bright sunny day and feel the crisp morning air on your face, to experience the unmistakable smell of a cozy fire burning in a chimney nearby or to witness the sights and sounds of children giggling as they jump into piles of incredibly bright red, yellow, brown and green leaves?

Autumn Winters (not verified)

15 years 1 month ago

This poem fully reflects the sights around me, here in my little Montana mountain town. This morning we awoke to snow on the surrounding peaks...and the accompanying crisp, cold air only aids the leaves still on the trees in turning even yet more brilliant in colour. October is the most beautiful month, in my opinion, and poems about it are my favourite.

alexandra.h.winters (not verified)

15 years 1 month ago

I thought this was a wonderful poem. It's so visual--with the leaves dropping. Somehow, this poem helps you get away from all the stress around you. As I get older, I love autumn more and more. In music terms, it's a slow and easy "adagio" versus a crisp "allegro" --though I'm sure some feel the opposite!

Tj Hooker (not verified)

15 years 1 month ago

Beautiful poem. Of course, in LA - we just want to get past the Santa Ana Wind/ Wildfire season. This makes me long for Autumn in New England!