Author: Robert Lee Frost

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A speck that would have been beneath my sight
On any but a paper sheet so white
Set off across what I had written there.
And I had idly poised my pen in air
To stop it with a period of ink
When something strange about it made me think,
This was no dust speck by my breathing blown,
But unmistakably a living mite
With inclinations it could call its own.
It paused as with suspicion of my pen,
And then came racing wildly on again
To where my manuscript was not yet dry;
Then paused again and either drank or smelt, 
With loathing, for again it turned to fly.
Plainly with an intelligence I dealt.
It seemed too tiny to have room for feet,
Yet must have had a set of them complete
To express how much it didn't want to die.
It ran with terror and with cunning crept.
It faltered: I could see it hesitate;
Then in the middle of the open sheet
Cower down in desperation to accept
Whatever I accorded it of fate.
I have none of the tenderer-than-thou
Collectivistic regimenting love
With which the modern world is being swept.
But this poor microscopic item now!
Since it was nothing I knew evil of
I let it lie there till I hope it slept.

I have a mind myself and recognize
Mind when I meet with it in any guise
No one can know how glad I am to find
On any sheet the least display of mind.

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Type of Poem: Reflective Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a thoughtful meditation on the nature of life and consciousness, using the relatively simple event of a mite crossing a manuscript as a springboard. The poet contemplates the actions of the mite, its seeming displays of fear and intelligence, as it navigates the vast expanse of the manuscript, alternately running and hesitating. There's a palpable sense of empathy towards this microscopic life form, viewing it not as a mere speck of dust, but as a creature with its own desires and inclinations.

The tone of the poem is contemplative and slightly bemused, creating a quiet, reflective atmosphere that invites the reader to slow down and consider the significance of the seemingly insignificant. The poem's structure is straightforward, using clear, accessible language and avoiding overly complex metaphor or symbolism. The standout literary device in this poem is the use of personification, attributing human-like characteristics and emotions to the mite. This technique is used to great effect, helping to bridge the gap between the human and the microscopic, and fostering a sense of connection and understanding. The poem concludes on a note of affirmation, acknowledging the presence of mind in all forms, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. This reinforces the poem's central theme: the universal nature of consciousness and the inherent value of all forms of life.