The Way Of Life #writephoto #robertfrost

Posted on Dec 10, 2018 by TanGental

In my continuing series of famous poems loved by the BBC’s listeners and ruined by me we reach Robert Frost and The Road Not Taken. I have also utilized Sue Vincent’s #writephoto prompt

Two Roads

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood

For years I never gave it thought

Until the day when alone I stood

And, like dawn at last,  I understood

That was the way I’d always sought.

*

It curved and fell amongst the hills

A twisted spine, a placid stream

A way for good, a path to ills

A vein of calm, a ride for thrills

Of hope and fear, an undreamt dream.

*

Its end, just then, like mine, unknown

My eye it sought, yet never found;

Youth, like corn in tilled soil sown

Wishes itself already grown,

Free of the wait to which it’s bound.

*

I chose that road, it’s mine to follow,

Each step reveals what before was hid.

Everyone was once  so callow

Yet walk we must our pride to swallow

Since without, we may as well be dead.

*

The way will change, at times we’re lost

Horizons crossed, our future shown;

It’s there for us, our guiding host

Pointing us to that final coast

Where we’ll depart, our time here gone.

*

And what if we have never taken

That road that was till then less traveled?

What future would we have forsaken,

From what dreams would we not awaken?

What riddle would have remained unraveled?

*

It is not for us to see the way

Our lives might go before we choose,

So in the sun, let’s make our hay

And dodge the storms as best we may

And walk that path wherever it leads.

 

 

About TanGental

My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline. I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy. I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere. These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
This entry was posted in #writephoto, poems, poetry, prompt and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

26 Responses to The Way Of Life #writephoto #robertfrost

  1. sebby holmes says:
    Dec 10, 2018 at 3:16 pm

    Lovely 😊 Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Ritu says:
    Dec 10, 2018 at 3:33 pm

    Great use of the prompt! And your little poeticky thing too!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. robertawrites235681907 says:
    Dec 10, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    This is very good, Geoff. Sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Colleen Chesebro says:
    Dec 10, 2018 at 7:33 pm

    One of my favorites! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Erika Kind says:
    Dec 10, 2018 at 8:30 pm

    Wow, that was deep, Geoff. Yes, we cannot compare the ways. Such a variety to choose from but whatever way we choose will have its magical fireworks, meadows, and deep valleys. Fantastic poem, Geoff!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. thecontentedcrafter says:
    Dec 10, 2018 at 8:36 pm

    Oh golly gosh! That was pretty good! Quite deep and philosophical and everything……. I’ve not always loved the Frost poem, thinking it too full of regret, too ‘the grass is greener’ yours is far more reflective and appreciative, the penultimate verse says it all really. Good job sir!!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Jennifer Barricklow says:
    Dec 11, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    Three cheers for a book of poetry! And you already have a title: “Famous Poems Loved by BBC Listeners and Ruined by Me.” ;-D

    Liked by 1 person

  8. JT Twissel says:
    Dec 11, 2018 at 7:15 pm

    The first poem I ever memorized! As writers, the path not taken can inspire alternate realities for at least one of our multi-personalities.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. willowdot21 says:
    Dec 12, 2018 at 6:27 pm

    Love it Geoff

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Pingback: Photo prompt round-up: Onward #writephoto | Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

Comments are closed.