Whose Worlds These Were (I Thought I Knew)

Letter to you,

After our talk, I went out

And searched until I came to the yellow wood.

There (as you advised) two roads diverged, and I –

I took the one less traveled by

[and that has made all the difference]

At the diverge, both looked the same

But down the road, scenes began to change.

Woods faded to vast seas of sand

You were (incidentally) right about Ozymandias-

Trunkless legs of stone, waiting lip, shattered visage

And my journey began.

At Xanadu were the pleasure-domes of ancient decree,

As you predicted – they are rotting.

In the rubble, I shared a drink with Miniver Cheevy.

He’s still waiting, weeping, wishing.

I invited him; he declined, but offered me his sword.

eddieandbill with bettyandisbel all resisted my entreaties to come.

Allfourwerehuddledinthelobbyofadesertedapartmenttower.  Said they were

Still waiting for        

                                    goat-footed

balloonMan.

I later saw that girl you met.  (She is still there!)

I talked with her under red and blue stars, where

She told me that she thinks she made you up

all inside her head.

She is still waiting – didn’t want to come with me either.

Passing through a trench, the boys and I were gassed.

It was an ecstasy of fumbling,

We fit the clumsy helmets just in time.

I told them this was madness and begged they come…

With faux-stoicism they turned, waiting for the next barrage.

I continued.  Met dried dreams (like raisins in the sun),

Coy mistresses, red wheelbarrows,

ravens, light brigades stuck mid-charge,

people on crystal stairs, citizens unknown:

all waiting!

I finally have reached the woods.

Whose woods these are, I think I know.

Whose worlds these were, I thought I knew.

Thank you for our talk. 

Like you said, if we press on – everything will be okay.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

And I have promises to keep

And miles to go before I sleep,

Yes!  Miles to go before I sleep.

Never have words made me happier!