Through is work readers were placed at the scene, to feel the emotions and spirit of the author. Birches provides a wonderful, heartfelt trip down memory lane as a boy for Frost, who often appealed to the memories of his readers with his work. He begins with wondering about the bent limbs of a birch tree and brings the reader to the days when swinging from tree branches was their main concern in life. He then cuts into that memory and discusses ice storms but one can also see it is not just about ice storms but a metaphoric example of the harsh realities of life and adulthood. As people age they become more rigid and less able to "bend" with the wind, which creates a mindset that cannot be changed or appealed to.

When Trilling said that Frost was a terrifying poet he was referring to Frost's ability to capture human fear and love of life within the context of his metaphoric words. Birches draws a blueprint for Frost's ability to create such metaphoric visuals for his readers.

The following passage illustrates adulthood realities as compared to the bending ability of the childhood...

Often you must have seen them Loaded with ice a sunny winter morning
After a rain. They click upon themselves (Frost)"

He continues in his metaphoric fashion as he describes the end result, of shattered childhood dreams.

Such heaps of broken glass to sweep away You'd think the inner dome of heaven had fallen.

They are dragged to the withered bracken by the load

And they seem not to break; though once they are bowed

So low for long they never right themselves (Frost)."

These and other passages throughout the poem provide Trillings with the knowledge that Frost could see inside the human soul and extract the most basic emotion, then turn it into metaphors that would read as smoothly as sailing on the ocean during a clear calm day.

When he said Frost was a terrifying poet, he didn't mean that readers should fear him, instead they should embrace his ability to reach into their hearts without ever shaking their hand.