I have an intern that works for me. She is currently studying for her Master’s in English. I have her performing some Marketing research for me, and she is doing a reasonable job. One of the things that surprised me was that she couldn’t recite any poetry.

None.

Not one poem.

That really surprised me. As I was memorizing poems since first grade.

Nor was she familiar with any of the poet or classical authors that I named. She was absolutely unfamiliar with all of them.

She didn’t know who Jane Austen was, who William Blake was, or Charles Dickens. She never read any of their works, or had no idea what I was talking about when I referenced their stories.

What, in good-God’s name, are they teaching in schools today?

So I recited this poem to her. She was surprised [1] that I had had memorized it and could recite it, and [2] that it was meaningful and had significance and application in her life.

Let’s not let these masterpieces be erased in a tsunami of political correctness. Let’s treasure the good, and discard the bad, and let us all take the road not taken…

The Road Not Taken

by Robert Frost

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, 
And sorry I could not travel both 
And be one traveler, long I stood 
And looked down one as far as I could 
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 

Then took the other, as just as fair, 
And having perhaps the better claim 
Because it was grassy and wanted wear; 
Though as for that, the passing there 
Had worn them really about the same, 

And both that morning equally lay 
In leaves no step had trodden black.
 
Oh, I marked the first for another day! 
Yet knowing how way leads on to way 
I doubted if I should ever come back. 

I shall be telling this with a sigh 
Somewhere ages and ages hence: 
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, 
I took the one less traveled by, 
And that has made all the difference.

Related Comment

Coincidentally, I found this gem in my LinkedIN feed today. Yes, everyone should read and know the classics. Especially those studying Literature and English.

Fictional Story Related Index

This is an index of full text reprints of stories that I have read that influenced me when I was young. They are rather difficult to come by today, as where I live they are nearly impossible to find. Yes, you can find them on the internet, behind paywalls. Ah, that’s why all those software engineers in California make all that money. Well, here they are FOR FREE. Enjoy reading them.

Stories that Inspired Me

Here are reprints in full text of stories that inspired me, but that are nearly impossible to find in China. I place them here as sort of a personal library that I can use for inspiration. The reader is welcome to come and enjoy a read or two as well.

My Poetry

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