October

Frost uses a traditional leaning yet unique brand of form and meter. “October” is written in a single stanza punctuated by distinct sentences within the stanza block. While the poem is presented in only a single stanza, each sentence serves to suggest a stanza, as each sentence introduces its own idea. The lines within Frost’s poem “October” range from eight to nine beats per line, with only the line “Slow, slow!” (Line 17) falling outside of that convention.

Frost’s form and meter make a clear stylistic nod to something he felt was integral to his poetry. He believed poems should sound conversational in the way natural speech is, and his adherence to a steady meter reflect this desire. The verse within the poem is formal in that it provides a distinct rhyme scheme yet does not adhere to any specific mode or traditionally understood form of verse. Typical to other Frost poems, “October” has a unique rhyme scheme determined not by a traditional mode, but by Frost’s own ear.