Question: Discuss what these phrases mean to you.
(i) a yellow wood
(ii) it was grassy and wanted wear
(iii) the passing there
(iv) leaves no step had trodden black
(v) how way leads on to way
Answer: (i) a yellow wood–The yellow woods symbolise the autumn season which is synonymous to old age. The poet may be referring to the middle ages of life.
(ii) it was grassy and wanted wear– It means that the road was full of grass and had not been used by travellers as it did not seem to be disturbed or crushed.
(iii) the passing there–The road is frequented by travellers.
(iv) leaves no step had trodden black–The leaves did not seem to have been crushed by the footsteps of travellers [for fear of the unknown and uncertainties].
(v) how way leads on to way– This expression means that the decisions we make in life leads us on to the future roads or paths that we have to take as we move on in life.