Famous Quoted Line Poetry Contest

[hillwalker]

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
Where autumn’s lush detritus mired
The way ahead. From where I stood,
To look at where they part - no good
Would come of either way so I retired.

The first one paved - time-encrusted slate,
Each flagstone glazed by light of day,
Each slab worn down by time and fate,
Seemed easiest to navigate.
Expediency rarely defines the way.

The second passage devoid of ease
Troubled my heart with visions black,
And haunting silence ‘neath the trees;
This path entrenched, assailed by breeze,
And darker shadows cast behind my back.

I searched my soul for the way ahead
As both my choices now unravelled
Two roads diverging, the harder led
Through threat of death to life instead,
And so I took the road less travelled.

[Pendragon]

Knock, knock! Hello? This contest needs more attention!

[Hawkman]

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
Though why it was yellow was not understood.
Were all the trees cowards, afraid of the axe,
That could smite them to lumber for putting in sacks,
Or was it disease that affected the trees,
Infected by X-file type, modified bees?

The answer, I felt, lay down one of the paths,
One strewn with stones and the other with laths.
The mystery now I just had to unravel,
So I followed the one that was covered with gravel.
The custard wood lured me deeper within
And I wished that a priest could have shriven my sin.

But at last, in a clearing, the answer I found,
It was obvious now that I looked all around,
At the top of a ladder, quite close to a tree,
A man with a spray-gun was looking at me.
He pointed his weapon and right then I fainted
And found when I woke, that I too, had been painted.

[PrinceMyshkin]

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
Though why it was yellow was not understood.
Were all the trees cowards, afraid of the axe,
That could smite them to lumber for putting in sacks,
Or was it disease that affected the trees,
Infected by X-file type, modified bees?

The answer, I felt, lay down one of the paths,
One strewn with stones and the other with laths.
The mystery now I just had to unravel,
So I followed the one that was covered with gravel.
The custard wood lured me deeper within
And I wished that a priest could have shriven my sin.

But at last, in a clearing, the answer I found,
It was obvious now that I looked all around,
At the top of a ladder, quite close to a tree,
A man with a spray-gun was looking at me.
He pointed his weapon and right then I fainted
And found when I woke, that I too, had been painted.

I can see why you are proud of this one!

[PrinceMyshkin]

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
Where autumn’s lush detritus mired
The way ahead. From where I stood,
To look at where they part - no good
Would come of either way so I retired.

The first one paved - time-encrusted slate,
Each flagstone glazed by light of day,
Each slab worn down by time and fate,
Seemed easiest to navigate.
Expediency rarely defines the way.

The second passage devoid of ease
Troubled my heart with visions black,
And haunting silence ‘neath the trees;
This path entrenched, assailed by breeze,
And darker shadows cast behind my back.

I searched my soul for the way ahead
As both my choices now unravelled
Two roads diverging, the harder led
Through threat of death to life instead,
And so I took the road less travelled.

I thought of having a stab at this one myself, though I'd likely have been a bit caustic because of what seems to me the self-congratulatory smugness of the original, but between the two of you - you and Hawkman - you've done this proud.

[Hawkman]

My Prince, Certainly on my own behalf, and by hill's leave, on his too, thanks very much!

[krymsonkyng]

Question on the rules: Is it cool to nest the quote within the body of the work or should I have started things off with the quote?

[hack]

The entries were all quite good and so diverse.
It is no easy task to choose. I suppose that
that is the point, after all. Though the choice
is difficult, all roads lead to Hillwalker. Thanks
all for your efforts. Good work...peace...

[Pendragon]

Congratulations, Hillwalker!

[krymsonkyng]

Nice! congrats Hillwalker! Stay Frosty people... another round on the way

[Hawkman]

Nice one hill, you're the man!

[hillwalker]

Thank you all - those who have read any of my other efforts will realise I am allergic to rhyme and standard poetic forms so this was a bit of a step into the unknown.

I shall have to get my thinking cap on for the next couple of hours.

And thank you, hack. Your cheque's in the post.....

H

[dizzydoll]

Excellent Walker, its time to get published now. We need a celebration.

They say.... everything happens in three's, two down one to go! Where can it be?

[hillwalker]

After (not very) much thought I have plumped for an old favourite - from William Blake's 'Songs of Experience' ('The Tyger') :

Tyger! Tyger! Burning bright
[in the forests of the night]

No need to include the 2nd italiised line - nor the archaic spelling of 'tiger'..... let your imagination flow.

Closing date - 1st of June?
Best of luck everyone.

H

[Dark Muse]

Tyger Heart

The cigarette tip
flared up
glowing in the darkness
like a tiger's eye
unsettling, unwavering
winking infrequently

Through smoky
haze you can feel
her smile
purely feline.

Caught in
occasional glimpses
of illumination
her profile etched
half in shadow
half in light
asymmetrical.

She was born
with predatory
instinct,
contemplating
her prey
ready to devour.

Yet even when
she is poised
awaiting the kill
there is something
strikingly beautiful.