Taking the Second Road

Returning to That “Yellow Wood” — A Poem of Regret, Rebirth, and The Road Not Traveled

Two noble roads in a forest split A place I’d been many ages ago Now looking changed from where I sit Their paths in glowing sunlight lit Lightly covered in the fallen snow

The first stretched out straight and long Before bending behind a grove of trees Once I’d followed its siren’s song That day from which it’s been so long Thinking it the only path for me

The second yet still much less worn A mess of branches and scattered stone The fear by which my heart had been torn Now I look at it with gaze forlorn With thoughts of what it might have shown

Oh had I but sought what the latter brings I would have felt so wild and free But regret is such a silly thing And the joy of which this first did sing In truth, I could not have ever seen

Two noble roads in a forest split And when asked of all the places I’ve been Happily, I will tell of that time when with gratitude, I took the second, in it - knowing I shall not pass that way again

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Edit: Pernoste & Dahl recently took this poem, setting it to music, along with the poems of three other extremely talented poets. I was so honored, and I wanted to share it with you here.

Also, I’ve fixed a couple of typos, which were made apparent in their reading. And too they pointed out that I messed up the rhyme scheme in the last stanza, which was not my intention. So I intend to remedy that miscalculation and release a new version, so be on the lookout for that as well!

Hello dear friend, I’m Aaron! I write inspirational poems and stories of spiritual growth and personal development. I invite you to be a part of my journey of self-discovery and search for truth.

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Love,

Aaron

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