The One not Taken

A lament by Lord Grimthorn

Two humans diverged in a yellow wood
and sorry I could not kill them both
and be one hunter, long I stood
and looked down my road as far as I could
to where I shot one down in the undergrowth.

Then attempted the other, as just as fair,
and perhaps the better aim
because he sought Christ and His righteousness
above all earthly care.

But that morning he chose his way
though I chased in bloody leaves my feet had trodden black.
Oh, I kept longing the one for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if he should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two humans diverged in a yellow wood, and I --
I could only destroy the one less satisfied,
and that has made me all the bitter.