After English Class

By Jean Little

I used to like "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening."

I liked the coming darkness,

The jingle of harness bells, breaking--and adding to

--the stillness,

The gentle drift of snow. . . .

But today, the teacher told us what everything stood for.

The woods, the horse, the miles to go, the sleep--

They all have "hidden meanings."

It's grown so complicated now that,

Next time I drive by,

I don't think I'll bother to stop.