Frost’s poem conjured images of a mysterious forest, of wild animals and dark knights, of possibilities! The first time I experienced a snowfall, I was mesmerized. Even today, the ground covered in pristine snow fills me with wonder.
As an adolescent, I lived at home in a stealth mode. My late mother would complain that I was not at home even when I was! Time, after completing homework and chores, was mine to do what I wanted. So, I would find a book and hide for hours in some quiet corner of the house; sometimes, I would watch the rain or even better, dream. The idea of being useful, of engaging in pursuits that would showcase my intelligence, my efficiency, crossed neither my mind not that of my peers.
The desire to ‘go miles’ came to us much later. It was something cultivated – ‘doing’ became the mantra instead of ‘being’. Doing demonstrated achievement. Many in my generation decided to fill our every waking moment doing things, being useful, being productive, sometimes even sacrificing the time to sleep, to ‘do’.
Now I ‘have’ to go miles daily to keep up with my own expectations. I have come to dislike Frost immensely. Identifying with the poem has only resulted in my brain believing that sleep is earned only after walking miles – literally and figuratively. The result: Insomnia, tiredness, busy-ness, and bad knees. Of course, some of the problems arise out of my being at that wonderful age where women find that emotions are more at work than the body itself, and the body, like teenage children, decides to do the opposite of the instruction given.
Jenny Joseph’s Warning would have been a better poem to base my life on. After all, one woman can guide another so much better!
Loved the piece! Yes the miles do give a sense of tiredness. I will look up Jenny’s poem
Snow is exciting and so pretty.
As far as “Miles to go” the destination always feel farther and farther even now.
You have arrived, Tanu. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone, or even to yourself ❤️
Nothing to prove but old habits die hard.
Very well said and Totally agree … I also maintain that I don’t want to be a strong independent women any more … but want to be an “Ablaa Nari “
Too late Nil!
Snow as dangerous as it can be it still is pure and brings a kind of joy within you.
Never had the joy of being anything but a survivor.
Beautifully penned! You should “cultivate” relaxing and letting go too!