The Other Path

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less frosty And then regretted my choice, For unlike the difference His made for him, mine Led me to terrible snare You see, I encountered something there, Brown and fuzzy and cute As a button; but it liked Not my scent and let loose a cry And behind me, Reared up, roared up unseen mama bear I could not retreat to make the Other choice, for fear gripped My heart, wobbled my knees, And stole my voice He called it a yellow wood Here too because my pee had pooled Naught else but to utter a prayer: "O Lord, I've nothing left And soiled my underwear; Perhaps an angel could come And give a bigger scare?" Time slowed and, rather than life flashing, I found myself foolishly laughing It occurred to me then, that were I The cub, mama's fierce growl Would invite me to cheer, Inspire real hope, Mangle my man-smell fear She charged at him now And I thought of her, "Wow! She's got my back And there's nothing I lack" So I curled back up, Returned to my nap: Visions of honey And dreams of fish, Knowing that Mama Had granted my wish