Frost at Midnight

Coleridge's son, Hartley.

“Frost at Midnight” reminds me of the other conversational poem we have read, “The Nightingale” because is just Coleridge thinking to and about his baby. The poem is comprised of Coleridge’s reflections upon nature, his childhood, and the future life of his child. In later editions of the poem, Coleridge chose to omit the last six lines

“Like those, my babe! which ere tomorrow's warmth

Have capp'd their sharp keen points with pendulous drops,

Will catch thine eye, and with their novelty

Suspend thy little soul; then make thee shout,

And stretch and flutter from thy mother's arms

As thou wouldst fly for very eagerness.”.

Why did he choose to do this? I think that the six lines don’t really fit well where they were placed. Coleridge begins the poem by reflecting upon nature and his surroundings, and then turns his attention to his child. He then thinks about what the future will be like for this child, and his conclusion is that life will be better because the child will experience nature in a way Coleridge did not. Immediately before the last six line, Coleridge again discussed the frost and nature. Then he finishes awkwardly with the last six lines. I think it was smart of him to omit the lines in later editions because without them, the poem moves in a complete circle and he finishes on the same thought with which he began.