Northern New England Review Volume 42 | 2022
Northern New England Review is published as a creative voice for the Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine region. NNER publishes writers and artists who live in, are from, or have connections to Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine. If you live here, were once from here, lost or found your heart here, or are currently searching for it among the green hills, sparkling ponds, and rocky coasts, NNER has the poems, short fiction, and creative nonfiction you want to read. Northern New England Review is edited and designed by students and faculty at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire. Questions can be sent to Margot Douaihy, editor, at douaihym@franklinpierce.edu.
Northern New England Review is published as a creative voice for the Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine region. NNER publishes writers and artists who live in, are from, or have connections to Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine. If you live here, were once from here, lost or found your heart here, or are currently searching for it among the green hills, sparkling ponds, and rocky coasts, NNER has the poems, short fiction, and creative nonfiction you want to read.
Northern New England Review is edited and designed by students and faculty at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, New Hampshire. Questions can be sent to Margot Douaihy, editor, at douaihym@franklinpierce.edu.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Robert Paul Allen
NOT LONG TO GO
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep
And miles to go before I sleep.
–Robert Frost, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"
As I first read Robert Frost’s words,
miles to go rang true for me,
my path was clear, time my ally.
When I saw him the once, on TV,
his white mane windswept, I could see
his miles to go were on the wane.
He struggled with the light to read
his poem at JFK’s inaugural.
Now my miles to go are
dwindling down. After veering off
the path of wellness, I’ve learned
the best doctors still have limits.
I am left wondering from whence
the next assault will come
and what the final blow will be.
Many fear the last few miles.
It’s not the certainty of death
I dread but lingering regrets.
What-ifs and promises unkept,
endure to fill and haunt my head.
NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND REVIEW | 35
Change language