Pea Brush (Poem by Robert Lee Frost)

Pea Brush

By Robert Lee Frost

I walked down alone Sunday after church

    To the place where John has been cutting trees

To see for myself about the birch

    He said I could have to bush my peas.

The sun in the new-cut narrow gap

    Was hot enough for the first of May,

And stifling hot with the odor of sap

    From stumps still bleeding their life away.

The frogs that were peeping a thousand shrill

    Wherever the ground was low and wet,

The minute they heard my step went still

    To watch me and see what I came to get.

Birch boughs enough piled everywhere! – 

    All fresh and sound from the recent axe.

Time someone came with cart and pair

    And got them off the wild flower’s backs.

They might be good for garden things

    To curl a little finger round,

The same as you seize cat’s-cradle strings,

    And lift themselves up off the ground.

Small good to anything growing wild,

    They were crooking many a trillium

That had budded before the boughs were piled

    And since it was coming up had to come.

Poem Analysis:

"Pea Brush" by Robert Frost is a reflective poem that delves into themes of nature, labor, and the impact of human intervention on the environment. Through vivid imagery and poignant observations, Frost invites readers to contemplate the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world.

Setting and Atmosphere: The poem opens with the speaker walking alone on a Sunday after church to a place where trees have been cut down by John. The setting is described as a narrow gap filled with the hot sun of May and the overpowering scent of sap from the freshly cut stumps. This establishes a sense of quiet solitude and a serene yet stifling atmosphere.

Observations of Nature: As the speaker explores the area, they notice the presence of frogs, whose chorus abruptly ceases upon hearing the speaker's approach. This highlights the sensitivity of the natural world to human presence and serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living beings.

Human Intervention: The primary focus of the poem is on the aftermath of tree-cutting and the abundance of birch boughs left behind. The speaker contemplates the practical use of these boughs, suggesting they could be used for various purposes, including supporting garden plants. However, the speaker also laments the disruption caused to the natural habitat, noting how the piled boughs are encroaching on and damaging the wildflowers that were already growing there.

Reflection on Consequences: The poem concludes with a reflection on the unintended consequences of human actions on the natural world. The speaker observes how the piled birch boughs are affecting the growth of trilliums, a native wildflower. This serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance of ecosystems and the ripple effects of human intervention, even in seemingly small acts such as gathering pea brush.

Symbolism: The pea brush itself serves as a symbol of both human endeavor and its impact on the environment. While the brush may be useful for practical purposes like supporting garden plants, it also represents the disruption and alteration of the natural landscape.

In conclusion, "Pea Brush" by Robert Frost is a contemplative exploration of the intersection between human activity and the natural world. Through its rich imagery and thoughtful observations, the poem prompts readers to consider the consequences of human intervention on the delicate balance of nature.