When Roads Diverge Poem by gershon hepner

WHEN ROADS IN FORKS DIVERGE


When two roads in forks diverge
we sometimes have the urge
to turn back, and retrace
our steps and leave the wood.
That isn’t what we should
be doing. We must face
the future boldly, making
choices, while forsaking
taken roads, ignoring
the voice of caution calling
for moves that lead to stalling.

Diverge, and start exploring
whichever road you take,
for even a mistake
need not lead to defeat;
in order to succeed,
deliberately proceed,
and never choose retreat.
Whenever you feel lost,
remember Robert Frost.
Choice, like a judge’s gavil,
is needed when you leave
the wood, and you must weave
a web from it, and travel.

Inspired by Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”:

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.

2/26/09