The Demiurge's Laugh



It was far in the sameness of the wood;
I was running with joy on the Demon’s trail,
Though I knew what I hunted was no true god.
It was just as the light was beginning to fail
That I suddenly heard—all I needed to hear:
It has lasted me many and many a year.

The sound was behind me instead of before,
A sleepy sound, but mocking half,
As of one who utterly couldn’t care.
The Demon arose from his wallow to laugh,
Brushing the dirt from his eye as he went;
And well I knew what the Demon meant.

I shall not forget how his laugh rang out.
I felt as a fool to have been so caught,
And checked my steps to make pretence
It was something among the leaves I sought
(Though doubtful whether he stayed to see).
Thereafter I sat me against a tree.

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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on March 17, 2023

45 sec read
161

Quick analysis:

Scheme XAXAXX XBXBCC XDEDEX
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 752
Words 151
Stanzas 3
Stanza Lengths 6, 6, 6

Robert Frost

 · 1874 · San Francisco
 · 1963 · Boston

Robert Lee Frost was an American poet. His work was initially published in England before it was published in America. He is highly regarded for his realistic depictions of rural life and his command of American colloquial speech. more…

All Robert Frost poems | Robert Frost Books

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