In Our Labs Editorial: Poem

The Garden’s Forking Paths

TWO paths diverged on a garden lane,
And knowing I could pick either one
And still seem science-y, saw my gain
And looked down one magnificent vein
To where it twisted toward psych stardom

Then saw the other, not quite as fair,
Though having perhaps a higher claim,
Because it was straighter and lacked in flair;
But then, thought I, who would ev’n care?
I’m sure they’re really about the same…

And both — that morning — equally paid
But wait, it’s just what my grant lacked!
Oh, I’ll take the first for just today
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
In some great conference keynote hence:
Two path diverged in a garden, why —
I took the one with flair beside,
And that has made all the difference.

John Schmidt
with apologies to Robert Frost