Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Frost's poem "To Prayer I Think I Go" delves into the introspective journey of seeking solace through prayer, juxtaposing a profound sense of despair with the hope for spiritual redemption. Through vivid and somber imagery, Frost explores themes of humility, penitence, and the uncertainty of faith.

The poem opens with a declaration: "To prayer I think I go, / I go to prayer—" This repetition underscores the speaker's intention and determination to seek comfort through prayer. However, the journey to prayer is depicted as a bleak and arduous path: "Along a darkened corridor of woe / And down a stair." The use of "darkened corridor" and "woe" sets a tone of deep sorrow and introspection, suggesting that the act of praying is not merely a routine but a profound emotional struggle.

As the speaker descends "down a stair," each step symbolizes a humbling process: "In every step of which I am abased." The imagery of being abased, or humiliated, reflects the speaker's recognition of their own vulnerability and insignificance in the face of divine presence. The mention of wearing "a halter-rope about the waist" evokes the idea of penitence and self-discipline, further emphasizing the speaker's earnestness and humility.

The line "I bear a candle end put out with haste" suggests a hastily extinguished hope or light. The candle, often a symbol of enlightenment and guidance, here signifies a fleeting sense of direction that has been abruptly lost. This reinforces the speaker's sense of being in a state of spiritual darkness and uncertainty.

Frost then describes the destination of this journey: "For such as I there is reserved a crypt / That from its stony arches having dripped / Has stony pavement in a slime of mould." The crypt, with its "stony arches" and "slime of mould," represents a place of death and decay, highlighting the speaker's perception of their spiritual state as one of utter desolation. This imagery evokes a sense of confinement and the stark reality of mortality.

In this crypt, the speaker envisions themselves performing an act of ultimate surrender: "There I will throw me down an unconsoled / And utter loss, / And spread out in the figure of a cross." The act of spreading out in the shape of a cross symbolizes a deep identification with Christ's suffering and sacrifice, suggesting a desire for redemption and a plea for divine mercy. The term "unconsoled" indicates that the speaker finds no comfort or solace in their current state, further emphasizing their need for spiritual intervention.

The poem concludes with a poignant plea: "Oh, if religion's not to be my fate / I must be spoken to and told / Before too late!" This final exclamation reveals the speaker's desperation and fear of spiritual abandonment. The uncertainty about whether religion, and by extension, salvation, is their fate underscores the existential anxiety that permeates the poem. The urgency in the speaker's voice—"Before too late!"—conveys a deep yearning for clarity and reassurance.

"To Prayer I Think I Go" by Robert Frost is a haunting exploration of the spiritual journey, marked by profound humility and an earnest search for divine solace. Through evocative imagery and introspective reflection, Frost captures the essence of a soul in turmoil, grappling with the uncertainties of faith and the hope for redemption. The poem speaks to the universal human experience of seeking meaning and comfort in the face of despair, and the deep-seated desire for spiritual reassurance.

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