《Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening》创作于1922年6月,当时罗伯特·弗罗斯特在佛蒙特州沙夫茨伯里的家中,他刚完成诗集《新罕布什尔》的长诗创作,通宵未眠的他在清晨出门观赏日出时,突然灵感涌现,在短短几分钟内便完成了此诗.
弗罗斯特一生多闲居乡里,其作品常以美国新英格兰乡村为背景,具有浓厚乡土气息和田园情趣,此诗也不例外.20世纪上半叶,美国现代文学流派众多,意象派、旋涡派、芝加哥派等异彩纷呈,而弗罗斯特选择了遵循和发展古罗马田园诗歌创作传统,以乡村生活为主题进行创作,与当时主流创作道路不同,这一选择使他在创作过程中倍感孤独与艰辛,此诗某种程度上也是他对自己所坚守的创作道路和生活方式的坚定表达. 《Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening》(雪夜林畔小驻)——Robert Frost(罗伯特·弗罗斯特)
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.
这首诗描绘了一个雪夜,主人公在树林边停留的场景。诗中通过对自然景色(树林、雪等)的描写,还有马的反应,来体现一种静谧的氛围,同时也表达出自己还有职责(“promises to keep”)在身,不能久留的复杂情绪。