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.

 

Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” is a deceptively simple poem that has captured readers’ imaginations for generations. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to resonate with the universal human experience of choice and uncertainty. The poem presents a seemingly straightforward scenario: a traveller standing at a fork in the road and deciding which path to follow. However, the implications of this choice extend far beyond the literal journey, serving as a metaphor for the countless decisions we encounter in life.

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;

These opening lines immediately set the stage for the poem’s central theme. The yellow wood, a symbol of autumn and transition, suggests that the traveller is at a pivotal moment in their life. The decision to take one road over the other represents our choices in our personal and professional lives, from career paths to romantic relationships.

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Frost’s imagery is particularly effective in conveying the weight of this decision (see above). The roads signifying that both paths seem equally promising and unexplored. The traveller is presented with a seemingly impossible task: to choose one path without knowing the consequences of the other.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

The author’s internal conflict is evident here. The desire to explore both paths is tempered by the realization that once a choice is made, it may be difficult or impossible to return. This sentiment reflects the fear of regret and the longing for a do-over.

Frost’s poem evokes empathy and reminds us that uncertainty is a universal experience. It encourages us to embrace the unknown and view choices as opportunities for growth. He writes, “[I] took the other, as just as fair,” implying that both paths are valid. Ultimately, the poem invites us to reflect on our choices and their potential to shape our destiny.

 

Link: The Road Not Taken | The Poetry Foundation

Image Credits: Eric Muhr on unsplash