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The Sabbatical Not Taken (with apologies to Robert Frost)

John Knowles

Two runways went on over the horizon
And sorry that I could not taxi down both
And be one flyer, long I gazed on
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it seemed to turn south;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was less used and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
Most fellows I knew taken the opposite of I.
Thinking I could always return to take the popular way!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
The option to sacrifice and make a difference was nigh
I choose to give my time and aim high
And that has made all the difference.

Lt Col Knowles started his cadet career wearing 1505's in 1973. He maxed out at C/Lt Col but while serving as it's Cadet Commander his Squadron was ranked as the top squadron in Maryland Wing, MER and the #3 unit in the nation. He is currently the Group I Commander for Maryland Wing and the Director of the Middle East Region Staff College.

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