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.
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[–] Agitprop [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago (edited ago)
I normally resist the urge to add explanatory notes to my submissions, but this poem isn't about the importance of individuality. Both roads are equally well traveled. Frost would be rolling in his grave if he'd known how many people like this poem without really reading it.
Edit: A word.
[–] TimberWolfAlpha 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
I feel like it's ironic how often I've heard this quoted at weddings. Everyone always seems to intend it as a tribute to individuality, and they trot it out at what has to be one of the most conformist milestones in their life, so, not only are they missing the point of what it's about, they're doing it in the worst way.
[–] XPS 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
So what is he trying to say then? I see earlier where he says they are both worn about the same but that last couplet is very "catchy" or poignant and the only part of the poem most people know (Thanks toyota commercials). Why does he say it is the road less traveled by again here at the end if that is not the thrust of his poem?
[–] Agitprop [S] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Wikipedia explains it pretty well. but basically he's mocking people who think that doing something just a little bit different from everybody else makes a huge difference. Frost wasn't really a "people person."