The Road Taken
The Road Taken (Poem)
Two roads converged in a desolate wood,
And I had followed The Right
Long had I travelled it, sure where I stood
That it would fulfill me in ways nothing could
I was blinded, but not by the light.
I peered down the other, unable to see
Why I looked down on that road
And the people who walked it, long before me,
All the while feeling I was The Payee
When to Life, we are ‘owing’, not ‘owed’.
The alternate path seemed no different than mine
The differences subtle at best
So what then is choice when two roads combine
Trying to be perfect and ne’er out-of-line
It’s foolish – to this I attest!
I hated my brother for who he was not
Loved him for who he could be
But ne’er did I love him right there in his spot
My love had condition far worse than I thought
But no longer, for now I am free.
- A. J. Darkholme (June 2017)
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The Road Taken (Lyrics)
[Intro]
Two roads converged in a desolate wood…
And I had followed The Right.
Long did I walk it, thinking I could
Find truth… find self… find something good.
But I was blinded… not by the light.
[Verse 1]
I looked down the other…
A road I’d condemned.
Mocked by the faces that walked it before.
I thought I was the payee, not the debtor.
But who am I to judge anyone anymore?
This road
Wasn’t so different.
Not as narrow, not as wide.
Just paved in unfamiliar questions
That I never dared confide.
[Chorus]
So what is the point when both roads combine?
Trying to be perfect, toe every line…
I chased every rule like a cross on my back,
But I carried no love
Only fear, only lack.
I was wrong…
I was wrong the whole time.
[Verse 2]
I hated my brother
For who he was not.
Loved the version I dreamed
But never the one I got.
I preached about grace,
But demanded he change.
My love was a mask
And my pride was deranged.
[Pre-Chorus]
I thought I was right
Because I played by the book…
But truth never cared
How I made myself look.
[Second Chorus]
So what is the point when both roads combine?
Trying to be perfect, toe every line…
I saw him as less, I measured, I weighed
But I never once saw how my judgment betrayed
The blood that we shared…
The love I betrayed.
[Bridge]
But no longer.
No longer will I…
Love on condition.
No longer will I…
Bind worth to tradition.
No longer will I…
Walk blind with conviction.
I’m done!
I’m done.
[Final Chorus]
So what is the path when the lines fade away?
When grace is the only real map for the way?
I loved with my fear,
I led with my shame…
But I lay it all down…
I won't play that game.
[Breakdown]
I hated my brother
For who he was not…
But now, I love him.
Right here.
On the spot.
[Outro]
Two roads converged in a desolate wood…
And this… is the road I now take.