Analysis of Acquainted with the Night

Robert Frost 1874 (San Francisco) – 1963 (Boston)



I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
A luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.


Scheme Aba bcb cdc dad aA
Poetic Form Terza rima 
Metre 1111010101 1111010101 111010101 1111010101 1111010111 0111010101 1111010111 110110101 1101010101 1111111111 0101110101 010010101 0101110111 1111010101
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 581
Words 112
Sentences 8
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 3, 3, 3, 3, 2
Lines Amount 14
Letters per line (avg) 33
Words per line (avg) 8
Letters per stanza (avg) 93
Words per stanza (avg) 22
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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified on May 01, 2023

33 sec read
545

Robert Frost

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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