Poem Discussion: The Master Speed, "Wing to Wing, Oar to Oar"

Today I was in a meeting when I noticed this book on a shelf in the conference room. I've heard good things about the Kasses' anthology before, so I decided to Google it when I got back to my desk.

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Imagine my delight to find that the title comes from a Robert Frost poem. (Frost is Frank's favorite poet, and we're both big fans.) The poem, The Master Speed, is addressed to a young married couple and discusses the nature of marriage. Since marriage is such a big topic around these parts (I wonder why...), I thought maybe you'd enjoy reading it:

The Master Speed

By Robert Frost

No speed of wind or water rushing by

But you have a speed far greater. You can climb

Back up a stream of radiance to the sky,

And back through history up the stream of time.

And you were given this swiftness, not for haste

Nor chiefly that you may go where you will.

But in the rush of everything to waste,

That you may have the power of standing still—

Off any still or moving thing you say.

Two such as you with a master speed

Cannot be parted nor be swept away

From one another once you are agreed

That life is only life forevermore

Together wing to wing and oar to oar.

There's so much to think about in this poem, isn't there? I love the line about "the power of standing still." I asked Frank what he thought that meant, and he said, "An anchor in a storm, that holds the boat steady—that's what a family is." Funny, because I thought more of time standing still, so that a couple could be 75 years old and still feel young to each other. I loved how different our interpretations were—it expands my mind to hear his perspective.

I liked this poem so much I wanted to read some analysis of it—something that would tell me its significance and what it means. But I couldn't find a whole lot out there. Then I thought, "I bet the friends who read my blog would have some thoughts about this."

So if you don't mind... and you get a chance to read it... would you tell me what you think? :)