To Frost traditional forms were the essence of poetry, what did he mean by viewing poetry as "one step backward taken"?

Many questions regarding poetry are subjective. What this
means is that the question's answer is based upon a reader's interpretation of what
something means. This question is no different. The answer rests on what how a person
interprets Frost's poetry, how they interpret his use of themes, and what one
understands the quote to mean.

Therefore, the answer the
this question relies wholly upon how one interprets the
quote.

Poetry is meant to be examined. Poetry is meant to
evoke feeling. Poetry is meant to become lost in; in regards to text and thought.
Therefore, to do this, one must stand on top of the poem. To gain complete
understanding, one needs to step back and look at the impact the poem has as a whole on
the reader.

What one could interpret the function of the
poet in regards to "one step backward taken" as being representative of looking at the
whole picture of what is being described, pondered upon, and
reflected.