Poems can really ink down one’s feelings, thoughts and moments. At times, they also tend to recite themselves over and over again like déjà vu. One such poem, a personal favourite, is The Road Not Taken by eminent poet Robert Frost.
In the poem, Frost talks about an instance in his life where he is required to choose a path in a forest fork. He carefully examines both paths and, bounded by the fact that he cannot travel both, opts for the one “less travelled by.” He does not describe the experience of the actual journey as he chooses it in the immediate time frame, but instead refers to the ultimate years of his life wherein he would be narrating all his experiences and how his decision makes the difference.
Primarily, this poem narrates a lot of situations that I have been through and, in all likelihood, what most people go through all the time. The first time I came across the poem was long back in school, but it’s now that I have fully come to realize the importance of making decisions and how those decisions, according to frost, make all the difference.
I admire the poem not only because it strongly relates to my life, but also for its universality in theme and context. The interpretation of the forest and the roads remain subjective, yet universal because everyone can relate them to one thing or another.
In our lives (which I feel is way too short!!), it’s unlikely that any one person would be able to explore all possible prospects that life has to offer. This renders the poem even sweeter and more beautiful. The poet is wise in teaching us that the choices we make are of greater significance than the opportunities foregone.
Senorita Baral
Poetry Group
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