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 poem written by the American poet Robert Frost, first published in 1916. It is one of Frost's most famous works and is widely regarded as a classic of 20th century poetry. The poem describes a journey through the woods and the speaker's decision to take a road less traveled, despite uncertainty about what lies ahead.
In the poem, Frost uses vivid imagery and metaphor to explore themes of choice, individuality, and self-discovery. The central metaphor of the two roads symbolizes the speaker's decision and its significance, as well as the idea of divergent paths in life.
The poem has been interpreted in various ways, but many readers see it as a meditation on the choices we make and their consequences. Frost's language is simple, yet powerful, and the poem is often seen as a testament to the idea that the journey itself is just as important as the destination.
Overall, "The Road Not Taken" is a thought-provoking and timeless poem that has continued to resonate with readers for over a century. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its universal themes and the mastery of its language and structure.
