Robert Frost poetry is accessible to students, provides writing inspiration, and demonstrates a variety of poetic techniques. “Nothing Gold Can Stay” is a true gem for many reasons. Yes, it is quoted in S.E. Hinton’s YA novel, The Outsiders, but when fans of the book take pause and examine why Hinton chose this poem to share between two troubled teens they will discover theme, metaphor, and symbolism. Students will learn that poetry can convey feeling and emotion in a way that dialogue or other prose cannot. They may even be inspired to write their own poems or create metaphors to use in their writing. “Nothing Gold Can Stay” is relevant to science or nature themed lessons about the changing of seasons. What does “early leaf’s a flower” mean? Why does it last “only so an hour”? Can they find an example and take a picture? This poem can also connect to JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye, although I’m not sure that is taught as frequently as it used to be. Regardless, “Nothing Gold Can Stay” is a versatile, worthy addition to your English classroom.
