2--The Diploemat

20th anniversary of Senior Poets Laureate poetry competitions

September 2012

2012
NATIONAL SENIOR POET LAUREATE AWARD

JOHN W. CRAWFORD
Arkadelphia, Arkansas

THE ONE LESS TRAVELED BY

I met him in a high school class
one cold November day,
when we were told to turn the page
and read along the way.

The poem began, “Whose woods these are"
in simple words and phrase,
but by the end of “miles to go”
I learned a man to praise.

His name was Frost and new to me
but not for very long,
for “Mending Wall” and “Birches” too
became my daily song.

His short "Design:" and strong "Out, Out ..."
spoke to my inner soul;
and reading slow "Reluctance" then
helped make me pure and whole.

So when I come to many roads
and have to choose but one,
the grassy path that needs more wear
I know I cannot shun.

For Frost gives word that ages hence
I may look back and sigh;
for it has made a difference --
the one less traveled by.

    Dr. John W.Crawford, 76, is professor emeritus of language and literature, Henderson StateUniversity (Arkansas). His teaching specialty was Shakespeare and the Renaissance. He has three literary books on Shakespeare's style and characters, and three poetry volumes from Mellen Press and PublishToday. His interests include music (as pianist, organist, soloist) and acting. He is co-founder and actor/director of Arkadelphia LittleTheatre. His many honors include two Sybil Nash Abrams Prizes (Arkansas), Grand Prize of ISP in 2007 ($20,000 and a book publication), and several state-level Senior Poet Laureate awards.

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