By Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Source : https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/the-road-not-taken-by-robert-frost
Robert Frost’s “most famous and celebrated poem” captured my heart as a scholar. Mind you, it was read to us by a teacher who was passionate about English literature. This teacher set out to convince his students that English poetry was marvellously moving and I was enraptured, in the poem, poet and the narrator (who became my first crush and the epitome of high standards), but I digress…
As the words flowed then, I felt myself transported to that autumnal wood and could feel myself weighed by indecision. Which road? What would guarantee the better output? Years later, I invited that same teacher to my wedding and he was appalled at what he perceived to be, a wrong decision. A decade later, we met again and I felt that mental sweeping evaluation and grudging approval.
Often, we are at crossroads in life and ponder the dilemmas. The fact is we do not know. What we need to do though, is make a choice, is take the road, chance it and make that road work for you.
As a person who loves road-tripping, with a husband, just as passionate about road trips, we take the roads travelled but are also very partial to those off the beaten paths and were richer for it. Not many people understand it and we were slated for it, we worried less about their reactions and finally ceased explanations.
We went, we saw, our hearts were conquered. Again, very symbolic in the manner of choosing our pets, we chose the runt of the litter, the rescues and strays and had added such value to our lives. The point being, we made a choice, decisions that we made work for us and are grateful, richer and blessed for it.
PS,
Did you know that Robert Frost’s personal life was beset by grief and loss. He lost his Dad at 11 to tuberculosis, his mother to cancer. It is said that the Frost family suffered from depression. Only four of his six children survived whilst his wife developed breast cancer and passed quite young of heart failure. No wonder he was able to plumb the depths of his soul to write so realistically of rural life that he had to have escaped into for peace of mind. Such was the success of his work that he received not one but four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry and became known as one of America’s rare “public literary figures, almost an artistic institution.”
Reference : Wikipedia
Image Credit : flatrock.org.nz
My favorite poem and also the inspiration for the story of my life. Yes, I have made some choices that seemed right at that moment in time but turned out so not right later, but that is how life is supposed to be lived right? If everything was known to us, where is the mystery in living?? I still live by Frost’s words and I know that is what will always make the difference! Thank you for this post! For reminding there are more of my tribe out there! May you make more such choices and never regret any of ’em!
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Dear Lalitha, i too made choices but it was a learning curve. As Oprah says, it is not failure if one enjoys the process. Thank you for reading and responding. Im glad as you rightfully day. we are a tribe. 🙂
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Reblogged this on Ace Friends & Bloggers News.
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Thank you… You obviously enjoy Frost as well…, 💐
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The greatest writers and poets have been beset by tragedy in their lives as they know how to feel for others in their ❤️
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Yes. I agree with you. Its the pain that flows into ink. Sometimes not always palatable but it is what it is. It takes sensitive souls to understand and absorb 💐.
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Such a beautiful and classic poem!
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Always loved this poem and the concept of times in our lives where the road bifurcated and we took one way. How different our lives would be if we had taken the other(s).
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I too sometimes wonder. Sometimes too much. I remind myself to make the most of it.
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So nice it is
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Yes my friend, a befitting picture to do justice to the poem.
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I have always loved Robert Friday m Many years ago, grandfather, now deceased, did extensive work on our ancestry. I remember him telling me we were related to him but I have no idea how many “times removed”. Maybe that is why where my creativity comes from. It would be nice to think that. I, too, have always gone the road less traveled. I didn’t want the comfortable route and preferred more surprises along the way
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Thats ancestry worth holding on to Sonni and creativity should be encouraged.
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Kavita, this poem has as special place in my life. When I first came here to the USA, my husband read this poem to me. He said, ” Bushra that’s how I met you. I didn’t want to take the ordinary road so I took the road less traveled. I sometimes want to write about that but then I think let leave the too personal things aside. I love your descriptions BTW. Going to pin it.
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Thank you Bushra. Its a very special poem with a wealth of meaning for so long. Loads of memories too.
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I first read this poem as a child and have loved it ever since
And it must have resonated with me because in life, I have always traveled the road less traveled by.
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Im so glad you travelled back jn time with pleasure… After my posts on women and child abuse, i aimed for light hearted nostalgia. 🌺🌸
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Wonderful poem and powerful image Kavitha. Striving to always take the road less travelled. It gives the journey a real sense of uniqueness and who knows it might lead to destinations beyond our dreams.
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Thank you Devinder.
Yes, who knows the untold delights.
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So beautiful Kavita, thanks for sharing!!!
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Kavitha, a nice poem with deep meaning.
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Yes Meghna, its been received well and with good memories. Im so glad of that.
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Robert Frost had a knack for beautiful, descriptive language that is unparalleled. We have this one framed and on the wall outside my husband’s office. I also really love the eye-catching image you used for your post! Very fitting of the imagery the poem invokes. It sounds like you had an excellent literature professor 🙂
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Professor was hot! Frost is always a best friend revisited. Just puts everything into perspective. Good frame choice Sarah. 🤗
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This is my favourite poem. I remember reading this countless times and pondering. Oh the choices we make at the crossroads of life.
And aren’t the most grieved souls abundant with the best words. A paradox!
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I agree and well said, the most grieved souls have the best words. Its why we are able to see and feel deeper than most. Appreciate too. 💐
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You are right 🙂
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Like they say, we are always at the different ends of the road with grief, joy, and adversity that shall be overcome. This poem is mesmerizing!
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It is Vish. Cant wait for the holidays to start our road tripping.
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So nice of you to pay a tribute to him.
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Arlene, he rights my world in stormy moments, its my indulgence, my escape .
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My favorite poet is Mary Oliver. I quote her works here every now and then.
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I will look out for her works Arlene. 🌺
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I am pretty sure you would enjoy her poems. They are contemporary but I love how she writes about nature, and her dogs and about everyday life.
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Yes, I’ve just searched nd found her poem, The Jouney.
I relate… Don’t we all have them?!
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What a beautiful poem!
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💐
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I must say, I do like that particular poem of Frost’s. Then again, we do share the same surname.
My thoughts return to my childhood
When I did stroll in blubelled wood
To wander there and play with joy
Oh how I wish to be a boy…..again
Those carefree days are far behind
But still some day I hope to find
Those freedom days of times gone by
Sun dappled woods and cloud free sky
And woodland birds would sing so sweet
Blend in with the crunching ‘neath our feet
Of Autumn’s leaves of brown and gold
Idyll dreams and stories never told
Is it wrong to yearn for times we’ve lost
For roads less traveled shared with Frost.
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A name of greatness and talent too. You write so beautifully. I travelled to the sun dappled wood with you and can hear the strains of the birds too. Love it. Thank you for taking the time to write. I appreciate every word. 💐
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Reblogged this on Dracul Van Helsing and commented:
A well written analysis of Robert Frost’s poem The Road Not Taken.
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Ah, thank you for the kind words and the reblog. Thank you again.
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You’re very welcome. ☺
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I was at the school when I first came across this poem….I think 5th grade. Since then this poem has become an integral part of my life. While reading this masterpiece i was taken back to those days
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Thank you Kavita for liking my blog post over at A Sweeter Life, I love this poem, Robert Frost is one of my favorites. “Often, we are at crossroads in life and ponder the dilemmas. The fact is we do not know. What we need to do though, is make a choice, is take the road, chance it and make that road work for you.” We never know, do we? we just need to take that leap. Happy Holiday
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Thank you so much for posting one of my favorite poems. It is a gem and you are a gem as well for loving it.
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Barbara, i always revisit this and it never fails to make me happy. Enjoy Christmas and all the season brings. 🌺🌸💖
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Each of our decisions in life lead to more decisions and lead us through this maze we call life. Only after can we look back and see where our decisions led us through that maze. There is a Hopi symbol, I’Toi or Man in the Maze that speaks to this. Thank you for bringing the most favorite poem back to us! Namaste.
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Namaste Julianne. Most welcome. 💐🌺🌸
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Reblogged this on John Oliver Mason.
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Thank you John. 💐🌸🌺
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one of my favourite poems; thanks for posting it 🙂
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Mine too, i always feel good reading it.
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Reblogged this on Dep's World.
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