Discover Robert Frost’s poetic beginnings in ‘A Boy’s Will’ and read his first published collection of poems online for free.
Before he became America’s most celebrated poet of rural life, Robert Frost was a young man grappling with doubt, love, and the search for his own voice. A Boy’s Will, published in 1913, is that seminal first collection. It is not merely a book of poems; it is a lyrical autobiography of a soul in formation, charting a young man’s journey from restless isolation toward connection and understanding. The title itself, taken from a line in Longfellow’s poem “My Lost Youth,” hints at this narrative of growth and tentative purpose.
Frost wrote these poems during a period of farming and teaching in New England, before his pivotal move to England where this book found its first publisher. The poems are imbued with the landscapes of New Hampshire and Massachusetts—the orchards, birch trees, lonely houses, and encroaching woods that would become his iconic settings. Yet, here they feel freshly discovered, charged with the raw emotion of youth. The collection is famously organized as a conscious narrative cycle, with original glosses Frost provided (later removed) that framed each poem as a stage in a young man’s psychological and artistic development: “The youth is persuaded that the time is ripe for revolt,” or “He is happy in society of his choosing.”
This debut introduced the world to Frost’s unique blend of traditional meter and vernacular speech, a style that felt both timeless and startlingly modern. While not yet containing his most famous works like “The Road Not Taken,” A Boy’s Will lays the essential groundwork. It reveals the origins of his central preoccupations: the tension between society and solitude, the haunting beauty and indifference of nature, and the quiet, often painful, process of self-discovery. Reading it is like listening to a great composer’s early sonatas—you hear the unmistakable voice, still refining its power.
On this page, you can explore the origins of an American literary legend. We present the complete, original 1913 edition of A Boy’s Will for online reading, offering a direct portal to Frost’s poetic awakening.
Book Info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | A Boy’s Will |
| Author | Robert Frost |
| Year of Publication | 1913 (David Nutt, London) |
| Genre | Poetry, Lyric Poetry |
| Language | English (Original) |
| Legal Status | Public Domain |
| Format | Online Reading |
Read A Boy’s Will Online
Step into the New England landscape and a young poet’s mind. Begin your journey with the opening poems of this foundational collection, presented interactively below.
This preview offers a glimpse into Frost’s early world, but the full arc of the poetic journey—from disillusionment to tentative hope—is available in the complete collection for our subscribers.
A subscription grants you full access to this and our entire poetry library, from classic to contemporary. Experience the rhythm and depth of complete works in a clean, focused digital environment.
About A Boy’s Will
A Boy’s Will is a carefully sequenced journey. It opens with poems of retreat and rebellion, like “Into My Own,” where the speaker expresses a desire to “steal away” into the vast, dark woods to find his true self. This moves through phases of love and loss (“A Line-Storm Song,” “October”), observation and doubt (“Mowing,” “The Tuft of Flowers”), and finally, cautious re-engagement with the world. The collection is the story of a “will” being tested, shaped, and ultimately asserting itself not through loud declaration, but through attentive, musical speech.
Themes of Youth and Isolation
The dominant theme is the romantic solitude of youth. The speaker is often an observer on the periphery—watching mowers in a field, walking alone at night, listening from outside a party. This isolation is not purely melancholy; it is portrayed as a necessary condition for artistic and personal discovery. Nature is both a comforting refuge and a mirror for internal turmoil, a dynamic Frost would master in later works.
The Sound of a New Voice
Even in this debut, Frost’s technical mastery is evident. He employs traditional forms like the sonnet and lyric stanzas with a natural, conversational ease. The music of his poetry comes from the tension between regular meter and the irregular cadences of American speech. In “Mowing,” one of the collection’s standouts, the sound of the scythe becomes the poem’s rhythm: “There was never a sound beside the wood but one, / And that was my long scythe whispering to the ground.” Here, work and poetry are fused.
Notable Poems in the Collection
- “Into My Own”: A powerful opening statement of independence and the desire for self-knowledge.
- “Mowing”: A meditation on labor, truth, and the “fact” the sound of honest work conveys.
- “The Tuft of Flowers”: An early exploration of fellowship and unseen connection between individuals through a shared appreciation of beauty.
- “Reluctance”: A poignant closing poem about accepting the end of a season (and perhaps a phase of life) against one’s own heart’s resistance.
Why Read A Boy’s Will Today?
In a world of constant noise and digital connection, A Boy’s Will offers a restorative space for quiet reflection. It validates the feelings of uncertainty and searching that define not just youth, but any period of transition. Frost reminds us of the clarity that can be found in solitary observation of the natural world.
For aspiring writers and poets, it is an inspirational testament to the importance of a first book—a place to establish one’s territory and voice. For all readers, it is a chance to witness the humble, beautiful beginnings of a poet who would go on to define a key strand of the American consciousness. To read A Boy’s Will is to meet Robert Frost not as a monument, but as a young man, his notebook in hand, finding his way word by careful word.
FAQ
Can I read A Boy’s Will for free?
Yes, we offer a free preview of the opening poems. Access to the complete 32-poem collection requires a subscription.
Is this Robert Frost’s most famous book?
No, his most famous collections, like North of Boston (1914) and New Hampshire (1923), came later. A Boy’s Will is his important and influential debut.
What is the reading level of this poetry?
Frost’s poetry is celebrated for its accessibility. While deep and layered, its language is clear and grounded, making it excellent for both new poetry readers and seasoned enthusiasts.
Is this the original 1913 edition?
Yes, we present the text of the original first edition published in London, which includes the poems in Frost’s intended initial order.
Can I read these poems on a mobile device?
Certainly. Our platform is designed for readability on any screen size, allowing you to enjoy poetry on your smartphone, tablet, or computer.