101 Poems, Number 2

Favorite Poems Throughout My Life

2: “Mending Wall,” in North of Boston (1914), by Robert Frost (1874–1963)

My mother loved this poem, so

I learned it when she still was here.*

And driving through the woods, you know,

I’d say it to her when we would near

A wall of rocks that we could see

Back in the woods, close to the road.

She always loved Frost’s poetry,

And so I looked at her; I slowed;

And started in: “Something there is

That doesn’t love a wall.” I’m sure

She was surprised, at first. (No whiz

Was I, a lad. I found the cure!)

But now I cannot say these words

And fail to think of Mother’s eyes—

They darted up like startled birds

When I began—her pure surprise.

*She died on March 10, 2018, at age 98.

Link to poem.