On “A Snowy Evening”

A wise man once said,
XXXX“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
XXXXBut I have promises to keep,
XXXXAnd miles to go before I sleep…”

I ask, exactly,
What is lovely, dark and deep?
Shadows burning while you sleep?
Wolves hunting at my feet?

He says—
XXXX“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
XXXXBut I have promises to keep,
XXXXAnd miles to go before I sleep…”

And, I say,
What are promises left to keep?
Words whispered between two sheep?
A harvest without much to reap?

I repeat:
XXXX“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
XXXXBut I have promises to keep,
XXXXAnd miles to go before I sleep,
XXXXAnd miles to go before I sleep.”

But again;
What do you mean you have to sleep?
When you have work to do to earn your keep?
Words to soothe those who weep?

And he continues:
XXXX“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
XXXXBut I have promises to keep,
XXXXAnd miles to go before I sleep,
XXXXAnd miles to go before I sleep.”