The Road Not Taken

The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost


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; 5

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, 10

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. 15

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.


Probably the most over-quoted poem in history, but rightly so. My incredible 6th grade social studies/philosophy/life teacher introduced the students of James Weldon Johnson to a wealth of poetry, philosophy, and culture. This poem always stayed with me.

I grew up always feeling different.I know I am not the only one, but some people have an easier time fitting in than others. I spent my childhood SWEARING I would never end up in a boring, cramped office stuck behind a computer or crammed in a cubicle all day. My first jobs were all working with animals. Boarding kennels, grooming, vet offices, training....and although those jobs were physically demanding, I felt comfortable in those roles. I belonged there.

In recent years, I have betrayed who I am. Trying to be "normal" and essentially working to cram whatever odd shaped peg I am into the square hole of the corporate world. It doesn't fit.

I've been bored to tears, frustrated, anxious, and hurt from banging my head against a wall that blocks me from what is probably the wrong path anyway. Instead of ending up with a concussion and being unable to breath, I am going to turn around and run as fast as I can in the other direction. There is no path, no safe road with lights and signs and directions, just open, fresh air where I can breath again.

I am only able to do this thanks to the amazing man who loves me for who I am, even if I am not "normal" and can't do things the way the world expects or demands.

There is no guarantee that I won't end up back on the beaten path at some point, but I hope not. I am ambitious, intelligent, resourceful, and can handle a machete. Watch out unbeaten path, here I come.