"Traveling Through the Dark" is a poem written by American poet William Stafford. The poem tells the story of a man who is driving through a dark road and comes across a dead doe lying on the side of the road. The man faces the difficult decision of whether to push the doe's body off the road or to leave it there and potentially cause an accident.
The poem begins with the man driving through the dark, which is a metaphor for the uncertainty and unknowns in life. The doe's body represents a problem or challenge that the man must confront. The man is faced with a moral dilemma: to act selflessly and remove the doe's body from the road, or to prioritize his own safety and leave it there.
The man ultimately decides to push the doe's body off the road, choosing to act selflessly and with compassion. This decision is symbolized by the man touching the doe's warm body and feeling a connection to it. The man recognizes that the doe was a living being with its own experiences and emotions, and that it deserves to be treated with respect and dignity even in death.
The poem ends with the man driving away from the scene, having made a difficult but ultimately compassionate decision. The final lines, "I thought hard for us all—my only swerving—, then pushed her over the edge into the river" suggest that the man's actions were not just for the doe, but for all living beings and the well-being of the world as a whole.
Overall, "Traveling Through the Dark" is a thought-provoking poem that explores the difficult decisions we must make in life and the importance of compassion and selflessness. It encourages us to consider the impact of our actions on others and the world around us, and to choose kindness and understanding even in the face of challenges and darkness.
"Traveling Through the Dark" is a poem by American poet William Stafford, published in his collection "Traveling Through the Dark." The poem depicts a man traveling through a dark, forested road at night, and coming across a dead doe lying in the road. The man must decide whether to leave the doe where it is, or push it off the road into the river below.
The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. It is divided into four stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza introduces the speaker and the setting, and describes the doe lying in the road. The second stanza focuses on the speaker's internal conflict as he considers his options. He knows that moving the doe will be difficult and unpleasant, but he also knows that leaving it there could cause problems for other drivers.
In the third stanza, the speaker decides to push the doe off the road, and describes the physical effort required to do so. He also reflects on the fact that he is the only one who can make this decision, and that it is a small but significant act in the larger cycle of life and death.
The final stanza shifts to a more philosophical tone, as the speaker reflects on the interconnectedness of all living things. He recognizes that the doe's death is a part of the natural cycle, and that he, too, will one day die and be returned to the earth.
Overall, "Traveling Through the Dark" is a poignant meditation on the choices we make, and the impact they have on the world around us. It also explores the themes of life, death, and the interconnectedness of all living things. The poem's simple language and imagery, combined with its deep philosophical themes, make it a powerful and memorable work of literature.
