Can someone help me analyze this poem? I cant seem to decide what my interpretation is. I need some interps.?

Question

and I am suddenly at a dismal crossroads.
Ahead lies an all-too-clear view
Of what would be my own
Not in a century of Sundays.
Behind, the youthful pleasure
I once writhed in, obstructing the view
Of childhood grace and innocence.
The east-bound wind bears the fate of the west,
And though it chases after me,
My body and mind cannot come to peace,
And I evade collision with it.
Glancing right I see the loneliest path of all
Though provoking it may be,
As I have tasted the juice of its early berries,
It offers no redemption,
As I know not where it travels.
and so I travel with no guidance.
I walk on feet, held in the arms of none.
I look back, and the image has already faded.
Besides, time travels in but one direction.
The undeserving neighbor has won the promises
Of the paradise ahead
The lady of the west wears the garments
Of the child of the past.
It is not an escape, but a painful return.
I grow tired of walkingin circles,
So I sit inthe center and wait.

Answer 1

What a whiner! So, the crossroads tyou are at is dismal, the future does not look good, and you over-sentimentalize your childhood. OK, you're alone, you haven't liked any of the options life has offered you to go after them, and you're jealous that other people seem to have achieved some goals, (like, maybe they went after them?). So yes, you are tired of repeating old patterns and mistakes, so your choice is to sit and do nothing. I say by doing that you ARE repeating old mistakes. But take heart, this will soon be the past, and you can over-sentimentalize that too. Bah! (you do realize I am talking to the author, not you)

Answer 2

The poet seems to be growing up seeing future possibilities that lie ahead knowing thier path is chosen by them and by them alone. And yet even though we trek towards unfamiliar territory we find ourselves repeating behavior we've indulged in before. The last line is very interesting as it compliments the first mentioning they are at a crossroad and they are simply standing there still contemplating which way to travel.

Answer 3

It is a statement of religion and decision, that one can choose no religion (i.e., no path and no company) or one can choose religion (i.e., someone will take care of you and always follow along your path protecting you).

The statements are a collection of unrelated statements taken out of context to support a common dogma. That they have no true connectivity seems irrelevant.

So it makes it only point, only you can make the decision. Somehow, in asking this you realize the infantile approach, by choosing the religious path, you will always be dependent on the celestrial crutch - I ask, at your age, do you still need someone holding your hand to take you to the bathroom?

This is garbage out of the dark ages...and of those who would return you there....

Answer 4

It is basically saying you can only chose one path and once you chose it there's no going back, but don't give up for if you do you will no longer life with remorse.....Good Luck!