Directive - Part 1 of 6

My friend Suzie gave me a skeleton of a book. She told me that I have to write about each image that is tucked into the six sections. I've named the book Directive because she gave me the directive to write it.


When she used the word “directive” I instantly thought of the Robert Frost poem, Directive. A poem that is said to be “ornery and ironic, heartbroken and lyrical”.


Sounds familiar.


Like many of Frost’s poems, it takes place in a wood, close to water and speaks to readers about our destination.


Part 1: A bird cage.


Suzie liked this image of a bird cage because of a story I read at Express Yourself called, Confessions of a Bibliophile where I write about the poet, Paul Lawrence Dunbar. His poem is the title of Maya Angelou’s first autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Sympathy.

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,


When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore, -


When he beats his bars and he would be free;


It is not a carol of joy or glee,


But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core ,


But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings-


I know why the caged bird sings!

Back to Frost and Directive.
The poem talks about when we are completely lost may we come to our true selves. Sometimes a walk in the woods is all we need to rejuvenate.

And if you're lost enough to find yourself


By now, pull in your ladder road behind you


And put a sign up CLOSED to all but me.

Rober Frost, Directive