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Paul Ferguson

longistood[at]shortdaysago.ca

All the difference…for those who wander…purposed paths and some cut not so wide – searching – choosing. Standing in contemplation – long I stood – steps to the left – steps to the right, north – south, our decisional compass choosing the stories we find – the stories we tell…the stories we miss by a step too near or a step too far.

The Road Not Taken was jokingly written by Robert Frost and was based on walks in England (1912-1915) with fellow writer and friend Edward Thomas. The narrative poem speaks to Thomas’ indecisiveness and his lamenting of the path not taken.

So often the case, on site, near to, but a step away…if only we went…we must come back…I will make a note, we will have it for next time…whenever that time is…and so a step too near or a step too far…one day to Agny, France…we have been near, to visit Edward Thomas, who did not survive the Great War. Long I stood – short days ago.

The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost, 1915.

ADDENDUM (27 MAY 2026)

And there we were…upon this place of Agny. I shall be telling this with a sigh. Somewhere ages and ages hence.