I grew up in New York. Long Island, actually. The high school I attended was a mile away from my house. Yes, I’m one of those nostalgics who can truly say I walked the two mile round trip trek through rain, sleet and snow, even without the luxury of an iPod attached to my frostbitten ears with a set of portable headphones.
Finding a worthwhile way to occupy the time as I walked to school took a bit of creative ingenuity. Thanks to a few inspiring teachers who infused my adolescent brain with the best of classic poetry and literature, I traveled to school reciting some of my favorite verses to myself. With this method as my distraction—I got to school on time, lulled by the rhythm of iambic verse, ready to feast on the day’s designated smorgasbord of knowledge.
Among the many poems I enjoyed, Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” topped my list of cherished musings. The metaphor equating my lifeline with an “off the beaten” chosen path, resonated with my young view of the world. Further research, however, brought to light a new understanding of the poem’s underlying truths—that it’s not about congratulating ourselves for traveling through life on a less traveled route.
What it comes down to is this: 1. We make choices, knowing we won’t have the opportunity to try all of them on for size. 2. Neither of the roads is less traveled by—the choices presented to us in life, though appearing different, are equally the same. 3. Indecisiveness and remorse have plagued human nature throughout history, causing us to place blame or aggrandize past events to compensate for our frailties and disappointments.
Personally, this new slant on Frost’s poem hit my ego hard across my sense of individualism. How dare they thrust me into banality when I was doing so well imagining myself the curious explorer? This, my friends, requires considerable thought. Perhaps another fork in my road awaits on the horizon?
Finding a worthwhile way to occupy the time as I walked to school took a bit of creative ingenuity. Thanks to a few inspiring teachers who infused my adolescent brain with the best of classic poetry and literature, I traveled to school reciting some of my favorite verses to myself. With this method as my distraction—I got to school on time, lulled by the rhythm of iambic verse, ready to feast on the day’s designated smorgasbord of knowledge.
Among the many poems I enjoyed, Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” topped my list of cherished musings. The metaphor equating my lifeline with an “off the beaten” chosen path, resonated with my young view of the world. Further research, however, brought to light a new understanding of the poem’s underlying truths—that it’s not about congratulating ourselves for traveling through life on a less traveled route.
What it comes down to is this: 1. We make choices, knowing we won’t have the opportunity to try all of them on for size. 2. Neither of the roads is less traveled by—the choices presented to us in life, though appearing different, are equally the same. 3. Indecisiveness and remorse have plagued human nature throughout history, causing us to place blame or aggrandize past events to compensate for our frailties and disappointments.
Personally, this new slant on Frost’s poem hit my ego hard across my sense of individualism. How dare they thrust me into banality when I was doing so well imagining myself the curious explorer? This, my friends, requires considerable thought. Perhaps another fork in my road awaits on the horizon?
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