Famous Vermont Poems: Capturing the Essence of the Green Mountain State

Vermont, the picturesque state nestled in the heart of New England, has long been a muse for poets seeking inspiration from its natural beauty and serene landscapes. From the rolling Green Mountains to the vibrant autumn foliage, Vermont offers a tapestry of sights and experiences that have inspired countless poetic works. In this article, we explore some of the most famous poems about Vermont, showcasing the profound connection between verse and the Green Mountain State.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

No exploration of Vermont's poetry would be complete without mentioning Robert Frost, one of America's most beloved poets. Though not explicitly set in Vermont, "The Road Not Taken" resonates deeply with the spirit of the state, emphasizing the importance of making individual choices and embracing the path less traveled. Frost, a longtime resident of Vermont, drew inspiration from the state's landscapes and rural life, often infusing his works with a sense of quiet contemplation.

Vermont by Ellen Bryant Voigt

"The land, a metaphor for itself,
lies prone, spread-eagle on the ground,
and all around the mountains keep
watch, as the land, the long green land,
lies prone, spread-eagle on the ground.

The mountains keep watch, they keep
their distance, their hulking distance,
and the land, the long green land,
lies prone, spread-eagle on the ground.

The mountains keep watch, they keep
their distance, their hulking distance,
and the land, the long green land,
lies prone, spread-eagle on the ground."

Ellen Bryant Voigt, a renowned American poet and writer, captures the essence of Vermont's vast open spaces and the watchful presence of its surrounding mountains in her poem aptly titled "Vermont." The repetition in her verses reinforces the state's enduring connection to its natural landscapes while evoking a sense of tranquility and stillness.

First Snow in Vermont by Louise Glück

"The snow
began here
this morning and all day
continued, its white
rhetoric everywhere
calling us back to why, how,
whence such beauty and what
the meaning; such
an oracular fever! flowing
past windows, an energy it seemed
would never ebb, never settle
less than lovely! and only now,
deep into night,
it has finally ended."

Louise Glück, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, paints a vivid picture of Vermont's winter wonderland in her poem "First Snow in Vermont." Her words capture the transformative power of snowfall, symbolizing the purity and breathtaking beauty that envelops the state during the colder months. Glück's contemplation of the snow's meaning and its effect on our perception of beauty resonates deeply with those familiar with Vermont's enchanting winters.

Vermont has long held a special place in the hearts of poets, offering a wellspring of inspiration and a canvas for artistic expression. Through the works of renowned poets like Robert Frost, Ellen Bryant Voigt, and Louise Glück, we glimpse the profound connection between verse and the Green Mountain State. Whether capturing the allure of its landscapes or the transformative power of its seasons, these famous poems about Vermont provide a testament to the state's enduring beauty and the eternal bond between poetry and nature.