Rhyme pattern: 1.2.1.1.2

“Two roads” diverge in each day’s wood (1)
Death to self OR deadly selfishness
A mystic donning Carmel’s hood (2)
San Juan’s words the test of time have stood
Confronting all with Spanish holiness

Teresa’s confessor advises
Choosing the “road… to life”* though thorned
Not doom’s “easy” road, is wisest
‘Ain’t natural’, ego surmises
Fear uprises; is not this path forlorned?

To borrow from a ‘Frosty’ bard
Choosing the “one less traveled by”
Makes “all the difference”, this road hard
Christ’s “narrow gate”*! All fear discard
Wherein find the strength? In His footsteps nigh

Give your neighbor the last word
With a smile, sprint the “extra mile”*
Listen to folks most leave unheard
Let them heist your time (your plans deferred)
Hide cheerfully your inner trial

Your preferences let others steal
Seek them to love, their burdens bear
Rather than to be loved! Then you’ll heal
The wounds they may not see, but feel
Your attention transmits the Lord’s own care

This road “less traveled” could be in vain
Without the off’ring up in prayer
Of ev’ry chosen sacrifice or pain
“Deny yourself”*, follow Him; His Reign
The “difference” ‘tween these roads compare
First His Cross, then His Crown, you will share

*****

(1) Poem inspired by Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken” (link) and by certain words of Jesus Christ oft quoted by St. John of the Cross
(2) St. John of the Cross
*Quotes from Jesus in the Gospels