Fragmentary Blue

by Robert Frost

Directions: Read the following poem by Frost several times [more than twice]. Feel free to annotate it, that is mark it up: underline, highlight, or make marginal notes of any of the language you feel is important to understanding the poem. Mark specifically any technical features you find in the poem; for instance , rhyme and meter. Then write an interpretation of the poem. Get as far as you can with the text. Do not ask for help from your siblings, parents or friends. Do not look for help from the internet, except to look up unfamiliar words. Once again, It is important that you independently master this text.

Keep the following content standard in mind:

2.2 Write responses to literature:

a. Develop interpretations exhibiting careful reading, understanding, and insight.

b. Organize interpretations around several clear ideas, premises, or images from the

literary work.

Fragmentary Blue

Why make so much of fragmentary blue

In here and there a bird, or butterfly,

Or flower, or wearing-stone, or open eye,

When heaven presents in sheets the solid hue?

Since earth is earth, perhaps, not heaven (as yet)—

Though some savants make earth include the sky;

And blue so far above us comes so high,

It only gives our wish for blue a whet.