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Range-finding by Robert Frost

Analysis

"Range-finding" is a poem written by Robert Frost. This is a poem about perhaps finding oneself or finding out that not all things are what they first seem. The poem uses nature in a way to discuss relationships. The first paragraph uses specific words that stick out to the reader. The words "diamond-strung" and "stained a single human breast" are easy to see that they are speaking of a diamond necklace. However, at the same time it is speaking of a trap set. The spider put his cobweb on a flower and a butterfly fell victim to it. At the same time, a bird doesn't care and continues to go on about her life.

This poem is written as two paragraphs with the rhyme scheme ABBAABBA-CCDEED.

Poem

Range-finding
By Robert Frost

The battle rent a cobweb diamond-strung
And cut a flower beside a ground bird's nest
Before it stained a single human breast.
The stricken flower bent double and so hung.
And still the bird revisited her young.
A butterfly its fall had dispossessed
A moment sought in air his flower of rest,
Then lightly stooped to it and fluttering clung.

On the bare upland pasture there had spread
O'ernight 'twixt mullein stalks a wheel of thread
And straining cables wet with silver dew.
A sudden passing bullet shook it dry.
The indwelling spider ran to greet the fly,
But finding nothing, sullenly withdrew.