Summons Poem by Robert Francis

I think it is about those people that enter our lives and open the doors. The people who we never expect to come along. We don't plan for the meeting, it is the spontaneous nature of time and chance that puts these people in our lives that they change us, a sea change into something rich and strange.

At Missouri Fine Arts Academy, we tried to analyze this poem. To me, it should be read in an almost mystical way with a soft voice. Though it sounds like death, I personally think it is about inspiration. The sleeping person is ignoring creativity and the beauty of life, yet wants to experience it. That is why the narrator is asking 'Persuade me'. This is shown throughout the poem by the things the narrator wants to see such as the beautiful aurora borealis. They tell them to 'Knock on the porch. Bang on the door' meaning to force them to listen even if they have to shout, 'Look! Look at all of the wonder you are missing! ' They want to see these things before they become a prisoner of their own negativity which is proven in the line 'Keep me from going to sleep too soon.' Of course, this is just my opinion. At the age of 17 now, it could change when I'm 20 or 30.

Is it for lazy people to wake up early for walking as exercise, in the health point of view?

I'm with Zack - sort of - I think it's being in love with life. It reminds me of a time in Manila when the meteorite shower went on from about 2: 00 am until 5: 00 am. My friend and I had gone to bed, having had a good evening out and feeling tired. We had decided not to join our friends on the top of a skyscraper to watch the promised spectacle. One of our friends came bashing on the door at 1: 00 am until we woke up and we dressed and travelled to the top of the tower to watch. We lay on our backs watching the cosmic fireworks until morning. A night never forgotten, and shared with friends. It's a message not to take life for granted, a desire to share special moments.

I cite here SUSAN FOLKES last line in her response: It's a message not to take life for granted, a desire to share special moments.5 Stars for this precious poem

I see this poem as a plea for help from someone who would rather not impose on another but desperately needs someone to 'right' his/her sinking outlook on the world. The final line shows the narrator's loss of confidence/hope in herself yet also reveals the existence of hope he/she has in another's aid. Also, note the command in the previous line, indicating a slight, albeit modest, sense of urgency in the narrator's words.

See that I see. Talk to me till I'm half as wide awake as you Good write!

You know I am not too hard persuaded. Beautifully said.The poem flows like a river to reach its destination timely, as planned.

This could be about practically anything. I like to think that the author is worried about falling asleep in life and missing all the things that matter. He is worried that he is only half awake and that the world is persuading him to see only parts of his environment and not letting him be truly alive. I like stuff like this but its truly a shame that this doesnt rhyme.