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.
“The Road Not Taken” is a famous poem by Robert Frost.
The poem begins with the speaker describing being in a yellow wood where two roads diverge. The speaker stands and looks down one road as far as he can see, then does the same with the other. He is faced with a difficult decision of which road to take.
The speaker remarks that the two roads are equally worn and equally leafy, suggesting that they have been traveled by others to some extent. However, he chooses the road less traveled by, “And that has made all the difference.”
This poem can be interpreted in many ways. It can be seen as a metaphor for life's choices and the importance of making decisions that deviate from the norm. The road less traveled symbolizes taking risks, being independent, and following one's own path. It also implies that our choices shape our lives and determine our destinies.
The poem is known for its beautiful language and vivid imagery. Frost uses simple yet profound language to explore complex themes of choice, individuality, and the unknown. The description of the forest and the two roads creates a sense of mystery and possibility, inviting the reader to reflect on their own life choices.