Decision-making is one of life’s most essential processes, influencing everything from the choices we make in daily life to the monumental decisions that shape our futures. Poetry has long been a vehicle for expressing the complexities, dilemmas, and consequences of decision-making. The following 14 poems delve into this theme, showcasing how poets grapple with the act of making choices and reflecting on its impact.
14 Great Poems About Decision You May Not Know
1. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
Few poems capture the significance of decision-making as poignantly as Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken. The speaker reflects on the choice between two diverging paths in a wood and how that single decision will define their future.
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;”
The beauty of The Road Not Taken lies in its meditation on the choices we face and the unknowable consequences of each. While Frost’s poem often appears to embrace the idea of the road less traveled, it also subtly suggests the inevitability of regret and the weight of every decision. The ambiguity of the final lines, where the speaker imagines telling their story “with a sigh,” emphasizes how decisions—once made—become a defining part of identity, whether or not we are ever truly satisfied with them.
2. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot
T.S. Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock explores the paralyzing fear of making decisions, particularly in the context of love and self-worth. Prufrock’s indecision is a key theme throughout the poem.
“Do I dare
Disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.”
Eliot paints a portrait of a man whose self-doubt keeps him from acting decisively, particularly in romantic situations. Prufrock’s internal monologue is characterized by a constant back-and-forth, illustrating how decisions can feel overwhelming and impossible when one is consumed by doubt and fear. The “minute” referenced in the poem encapsulates the fleeting nature of time, and how decisions—though seemingly small—can weigh heavily when procrastination takes hold.
3. “The Choice” by John Greenleaf Whittier
In The Choice, John Greenleaf Whittier explores the moral and ethical dimensions of decision-making, particularly regarding personal integrity and the consequences of one’s actions.
“The choice is ever in thy hands,
And, as it is, so will be thy life,
For good or ill, the same fate demands
A man to act as his own strife.”
Whittier’s poem takes a more straightforward approach, focusing on the active role of the individual in shaping their destiny through the choices they make. The poem serves as a call to take responsibility for one’s actions, suggesting that every choice reflects our character. Whittier’s moralizing tone reinforces the idea that decisions should not be taken lightly, as they define the course of one’s life.
4. “To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” by Robert Herrick
Robert Herrick’s To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time urges readers to seize opportunities before they slip away, particularly in the context of youth and love.
“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying;
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.”
Herrick’s poem is a well-known example of a carpe diem (seize the day) philosophy, where the speaker encourages readers to make decisions in the present rather than defer them to the uncertain future. By linking the fleeting nature of time to the inevitability of death, Herrick emphasizes that decisions should be made promptly, lest they be lost to the passage of time.
5. “The Decision” by Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson often explored themes of inner conflict and the weight of choice, and in The Decision, she delves into the tension between action and inaction.
“A Decision is a kind of love,
An art of making peace,
Between the factions of the soul
That never quite cease.”
Dickinson’s brief but impactful lines suggest that decision-making is not merely about choosing between external options but is also a form of self-negotiation. The “factions of the soul” represent internal struggles—rationality versus emotion, fear versus desire—that must be reconciled in the act of choosing. This poem speaks to the difficulty of decision-making when one’s mind and heart are at odds.
6. “I Chose This” by Mary Oliver
Mary Oliver’s poem I Chose This reflects on how decisions, particularly those that align with one’s purpose or calling, shape the course of a life.
“I chose this, this that I love,
To follow, to take on
All the weight of the decision.”
Oliver’s work frequently deals with the natural world and human connection to it, and here, she uses decision-making as a metaphor for following one’s true path. The poem highlights the deliberate nature of choice and how embracing what we love can be both a blessing and a burden. It’s a powerful reminder that decisions are never truly without consequence, but they can lead to fulfillment if they are made with sincerity and passion.
7. “The Road to the Grave” by Christina Rossetti
Christina Rossetti’s The Road to the Grave explores the idea of mortality as a decision that each person must confront. Her poem meditates on life’s ultimate decision: to face the inevitability of death.
“And when the world is lost to me,
I must choose, to go or to stay;
And I have walked the road before,
But now must choose my own way.”
Rossetti’s somber reflection on death presents it as the final decision that we all must make. Yet, the poem also implies that living is itself a decision, one that each person must consciously navigate. Through its contemplation of life’s end, the poem underscores the tension between acceptance and resistance, making it a poignant exploration of the decisions that define our existence.
8. “Decision” by William Butler Yeats
In Decision, Yeats considers the role of fate and free will in the act of decision-making, revealing the tension between desire and the recognition of one’s limitations.
“I have walked the world in a dream,
I have come to know its strife,
But the soul will not choose what it dreams,
The spirit chooses its life.”
Yeats’ poem contrasts the dreamlike nature of aspiration with the grounded reality of choice. The line “the soul will not choose what it dreams” speaks to the conflict between idealism and the constraints imposed by life. The “spirit” that ultimately chooses the path suggests a deeper, more authentic part of oneself that must guide one’s decisions despite external circumstances.
9. “The Waiting” by W.B. Yeats
In The Waiting, Yeats explores the dilemma of indecision and the consequences of waiting too long to make a choice.
“I waited too long, and the stars
Fell out of the sky—
And now I sit, a hollow shell,
With no dreams left to fly.”
Yeats captures the anguish that comes with indecision in this poignant poem. The “waiting” becomes a metaphor for hesitation, and the falling stars symbolize lost opportunities. This poem serves as a cautionary tale, urging the reader to act before time runs out, for the failure to decide can lead to regret and unfulfilled potential.
10. “Choices” by Martha Collins
Martha Collins’ Choices reflects on the paradox of choice and the overwhelming feeling that comes with too many options.
“Each choice is a path,
but all paths blur at the end,
turning toward some distant shore.”
Collins’ poem explores how choices can feel simultaneously empowering and burdensome. The image of paths blurring suggests that, despite the multitude of decisions available, the ultimate direction may not be as clear-cut as one would hope. Collins speaks to the complexity of human existence, where every decision carries weight but also opens up new possibilities.
11. “The Sea of Decision” by Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes explores decision-making in the context of personal identity and cultural influence in The Sea of Decision.
“I stand upon the sea of decision,
The waves, they crash in mighty roar,
Each wave a choice, a path, a vision,
But still, I ask, ‘What is this shore?’”
Hughes uses the metaphor of the sea to depict the overwhelming nature of decision-making, where each wave represents a different choice. The poem reflects the tension between external influences and internal desires, suggesting that decisions are shaped by forces beyond the individual. The speaker’s uncertainty about the shore implies that decisions often come with an ambiguous sense of destination, leaving the individual questioning whether they’ve chosen wisely.
12. “Decisions” by Louise McNeill
Louise McNeill’s Decisions delves into the emotional burden that decision-making can place on an individual, especially when the stakes are high.
“I stand between the past and the future,
A foot in both worlds,
But which path to take,
Is the question that forever curls?”
McNeill’s poem captures the timeless struggle of balancing past experiences with future hopes. The image of standing between two worlds symbolizes the weight of choices that involve both reflection and anticipation. Her exploration of the emotional complexity of decision-making presents a deep insight into the human experience of navigating life’s crossroads.
13. “The Decision to Stay” by Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde’s The Decision to Stay considers the complexity of relationships and the choice of whether to remain or leave.
“It is not love that holds me here,
But the decision to remain,
For in every step, I choose to be,
Unbroken by the chain.”
Lorde’s poem explores the power and agency inherent in decision-making within relationships. The speaker’s choice to stay is framed not as a passive act but as a deliberate decision that affirms their strength and autonomy. The poem underscores that the act of staying is just as significant as the act of leaving, highlighting the agency that comes with making decisions in the face of emotional complexity.
14. “Choosing Life” by Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou’s Choosing Life reflects on the transformative power of making the decision to live fully and embrace one’s potential.
“I choose life, with its joys and pain,
I choose love, with its losses and gain,
For in this choice, I am free.”
Angelou’s poem is an empowering declaration of the decision to embrace life in all its fullness. Through her declaration of choice, she affirms the idea that decisions are not merely about external actions but also about adopting an attitude toward life that embraces both triumph and struggle. The poem is a reminder that we are not passive in life’s journey but active participants in our own destiny.
Conclusion
The poems explored in this article reveal the multifaceted nature of decision-making, from the personal and ethical to the emotional and existential. Each poet presents a unique perspective on how decisions shape our lives, for better or worse, and how the act of choosing can be both liberating and burdensome. Through these works, we see that decision-making is not a one-time event, but a continual process that involves reflection, risk, and the courage to confront uncertainty. These poems remind us that decisions are not simply about choosing between options—they are about understanding who we are and who we hope to become.
