A Poet at the Inauguration

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John F. Kennedy invited renowned poet Robert Frost to read a poem at his inauguration. Frost, who did not usually write commemorative poems, wrote a special poem. He was unable to read it, however, because the sun's glare on the snow was so intense he was unable to see. Instead, he recited his poem "The Gift Outright." Below is the poem Frost wrote for the inauguration, from Words and Deeds in American History. The handwritten annotations are by Frost and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, to whom Frost gave the poem. What does Frost's poem tell you about his opinion of the newly elected president?

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Page One of the Frost Poem	Page Two of the Frost Poem
Page Three of the Frost Poem

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Click on the images to view larger, more legible pages of Frost's poem. View additional information about the poem. Use your browser's Back Button to return to this point.

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Last updated 09/26/2002