Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
“Ironic” he thought standing in the quiet woods “that this poem came to mind at this moment.”
It would be so easy to remain in this place. Just shake the heavy burden from his shoulders like flakes of snow and settle in to the silence.
It had been a year of trials and loss. Misunderstandings and grudges. Family ties had been strained and friendships tested. He kept clinging to the belief that everything would eventually turn out for the better but faith had diminished to just a small mustard seed of hope. He had no idea if his plan could change the circumstances, but he had given his word to try. When you give your word, you keep it.
This journey of his was long, and he had tired of being in the cramped seat of the bus. When they pulled into the station he grabbed his duffle bag and debarked. Being on the outskirts of a small town at midnight didn’t provide much in the way of transportation. Especially if you were a stranger. Slinging the duffle bag over his shoulder Luke started walking towards town. About half way there he could no longer resist the temptation of the woods that bordered the road. The quiet wind through the tree branches seemed to beckon him, so he stepped off the road and into the serenity of the snowy woods. Taking a deep breath of crisp cool air he headed deeper into the trees. It wasn’t long before Luke broke through woods and found that they bordered a lake. It was if this quiet sanctuary had been waiting here just for him. He dropped his duffle to the ground and took a seat on it. Stretching his long legs out he looked around, taking in scenery that was lit by the light of the moon. Luke felt the peaceful feeling that is only reached when your alone with yourself in total silence.. And for a brief while the burden of his promise was lifted. Soon the cold cut through his jacket and he realized that although he wanted to remain there he could not, because as the poem said, he had promises to keep and miles to go before he could sleep.