Choices

Once were two lands where all believed, whether true or be they deceived,

that they were right and all others wrong, in this, their belief was irrefutably strong

The first land did believe, everything was determined, as was preconcieved,

where everything was thought to happen for the best;

because of this there was no anger, blame, hate, guilt, or sadness

In the other land far away, were people that believed that they,

had free will, to choose, win or loose and do good or ill.

Here was anger, gilt and shame, wickedness, war, sadness and blame

If it were up to you, which would you choose of the two?

Reviews

[carl]

I think the ideas expressed here are quite good and worth consideration. Have been wrestling with concept /truth of free will or the absence of it myself. Not sure if the last line is intended irony or not. If I can choose, I would obviously, it seems to me, be in the second land and the first would not exist at all. This is the crux of the issue with me. I tend to think we exist in both lands at the same time, having free will to choose and then reaping the determinism of our choice. (side question: From who or what does the determinism issue?) In any event, thanks for the post, enjoyed the read. -carl

[Soren]

Thank you Carl for your review and deep reflection regarding this piece. Determinism such as Newtonian physics and freewill held by most religious groups as well as many philosophers has been an age old dilemma. Determinism issues from the view that for every action there is a reaction and given enough information we can predict the outcome. The essence of the poem is really that we all create our own view as to what we hold as true and it is our choice what we believe. It is not so important what the objective truth is but what we believe. So the question stands would you rather live in a world free of hatred and blame or one where one had choice and thereby responsibility for one's actions.

[willweb]

It is hard to make choices, like another writer I read a few minutes ago stated, without knowing the full story. Some things are not always as they appear. Though I enjoyed your rhyme sequence early on and your piece was sharp and poignant.

[Soren]

Thank you so much for reviewing and commenting on this piece.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I like this poem a lot because it really places choice in the mind of the reader. Two vastly different worlds but only one choice to make. I don't know if I would want to live in either if I'm being honest. Human beings are not perfect we are prone to mistakes and bad choices. It is the way we choose to live with our faults that can effect the world around us, and perhaps even influence it. To live in a preordained world takes that responsibility away. Yet, to live in utter chaos can destroy everything. The world isn't perfect because we're not in many ways. This poem really poses a difficult question that isn't really easy to answer. A strong piece of thought provoking poetry Soren.

[Soren]

Thank you so much, Carlos the old dilemma of determinism vs free choice has been around as long as man could think. We often cop out saying it's a little of both but that too is casting a mind set that creates an easy world where we are free to blame others and justify our own actions. In fact not reality itself but our personal reality is what we believe. I so appreciate your insightful comments.