Happy New Year, dVerse Community! It’s Merril, and I’m pleased to be hosting the first Poetics of the year. We have wine, beer, and an assortment of hot and cold beverages behind the bar. I’m new here, and I haven’t had much of a chance to explore yet, but I’m sure I can find something you’ll like.

Now that we have drinks sorted out, let’s move on to poetry and the subject of time and what ifs. Some of you know that I’m a bit obsessed fascinated by time.

I came across this poem by Natasha Trethewey. Check it out. I’ll wait.

So . . .time. Toward the end of December many people begin to look back over the past year. Some people make resolutions for the new year. (I’m not one of them.) You probably know that January was named for the Roman god Janus who has two heads–one looks backwards and the other looks forward. Janus is the doorkeeper of time and space, that is, entrances and exits, beginnings and endings, inside and outside—he can see it all without turning his head. He carries a staff with which to help guide travelers along the right path, and he holds a key to open gates.

And this concept of Janus fits here because many people travel during the holiday season–which made me think of Robert Frost’s well-known poem, “The Road Not Taken.”  The poem is often misread, and even Robert Frost said it was “a tricky poem.” Was there even a difference in the roads? Did it matter which road was taken? The final verse indicates the narrator will tell this story sometime in the future.

So, today, I want you to consider time and space and what if? What if you–or someone else—or some THING else–took that less or more-traveled path? Would it make a difference? Will it make a difference? Look backward, forward, inside, and out. Then wonder, what if? Ponder it into a poem and post it for us to enjoy.

If you are new, here’s how to join in:

• Write a poem (in any form) in response to the challenge.
• Enter a link directly to your poem and your name by clicking Mr Linky by clicking Mr Linky below and remember to check the little box to accept the use/privacy policy. You will find links to other poets and more will join, so check back later to read their poem.
• Read and comment on other poets’ work–we all come here to have our poems read.
• Please link back to dVerse from your site/blog.
• Comment and participate in our discussion below, if you like. We are a friendly bunch of poets.
• NOTE: If you do not see Mr. Linky, just press that small icon, and it should work.