After Apple Picking by Robert Frost

After Apple Picking by Robert Frost My long two-pointed ladder's sticking through a tree Toward heaven still, And there's a barrel that I didn't fill Beside it, and there may be two or three Apples I didn't pick upon some bough. But I am done with apple-picking now. Essence of winter sleep is on the night, The scent of apples: I am drowsing off. I cannot rub the strangeness from my sight I got from looking through a pane of glass I skimmed this morning from the drinking trough And held against the world of hoary grass. It melted, and I let it fall and break. But I was well Upon my way to sleep before it fell, And I could tell What form my dreaming was about to take. Magnified apples appear and disappear, Stem end and blossom end, And every fleck of russet showing clear. My instep arch not only keeps the ache, It keeps the pressure of a ladder-round. I feel the ladder sway as the boughs bend. And I keep hearing from the cellar bin The rumbling sound Of load on load of apples coming in. For I have had too much Of apple-picking: I am overtired Of the great harvest I myself desired. There were ten thousand thousand fruit to touch, Cherish in hand, lift down, and not let fall. For all That struck the earth, No matter if not bruised or spiked with stubble, Went surely to the cider-apple heap As of no worth. One can see what will trouble This sleep of mine, whatever sleep it is. Were he not gone, The woodchuck could say whether it's like his Long sleep, as I describe its coming on, Or just some human sleep. Great literature audio narrations with synchronized visual text Check out my audio version of Jack London's "White Fang" and other crazy stuff at daneallred.com Lots of resources from "Literature Out Loud” you may be able to use. Forward to anyone you think might enjoy this! Quick Quotations -- a speaker's sourcebook!! You can also get "Quick Quotations" by clicking the link below. This is the book I use in my public speaking class at two different universities. I've taught public speaking for more than two decades, and this book is the main resource for students learning to speak without notes. An excellent resource for anyone looking for a quick quote on 100 different topics. It also includes unattributed "Bonus Bumper Stickers", an author index, a list of standard disclaimers and a few of Murphy's Laws. Small enough to carry anywhere, I've also included some blank pages for notes. If you are unhappy with this book in any way, please return for a full refund. https://www.ebay.com/itm/373463132341 Quick Quotations also available on Amazon Marketplace https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2917259825170583/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit daneallred.substack.com/subscribe