Question of Choice (poem) by John Herlihy on AuthorsDen

Question of Choice
by John Herlihy → (All Poetry by John Herlihy)
Monday, October 30, 2023 Rated "G" by the Author.

Save

Follow Share on Facebook



-- The Question of Choice -- By John Herlihy Sometimes I think I didn’t have a choice, About the person that I ended up being. Destiny can leave us mute, with no voice, Being blind and thru the blindness seeing. Whether into riches or into poverty born, No one would rightly claim I had a choice. Either male or female, the hem clearly torn, Equally appointed shares of sorrow and joys. Choice merely a coin at the mercy of fate, Things happen as the result of random toss. We wish to come on time, but arrive late, We invest in a sure thing, but end up in loss. The question of choice rears its ugly head, We think we have a choice, only we don’t. Thru the eye of the needle a lonely thread, Forced into some choices, only we won’t. We think we have choice but are they real, Or are we but puppets dangling on strings. The road taken many hidden factors conceal, The end of the road our destination brings. Think wisely the next time you must choose, Am I just seeing blind or am I blindly seeing. To accept your fate, you have nothing to lose, The choice of being yourself as a way of being. - - - - - - Copyright © John Herlihy Monday 25 September 2023

Reviewed by Jms Bell

Reviewed on December 10, 2023

I HAVE OFTEN PONDERED THIS MYSELF, JOHN. GOD CREATED US AND GAVE US THE FREE-WILL TO CHOOSE...TO MAKE OUR OWN CHOICES IN OUR LIVES. BUT THEN, 'HE' WHO ALREADY KNOWS WHAT WE WILL DO, WHY DID 'HE' EVEN BOTHER ...SINCE HE KNOWS WHAT THE END WILL BE? I THINK HERE DEMONSTRATES THE EXTREME LOVE HE HAS FOR US! FOR, HE WANTS US TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE NOT HIS PUPPETS BUT INDIVIDUALS FREE TO CHOOSE WHAT PATHS WE WILL TAKE IN LIFE. IN THE END WHEN WE STAND BEFORE HIM AND THE BOOK OF LIFE IS OPENED...WE WILL SEE THAT HE WAS ALWAYS THERE SHOWING US THE GOOD PATHS, WITH A 'CUSHION' OF MERCY AND GRACE...IF...WE WANTED TO TAKE THEM. THERE WILL BE NO 'BLAME' OR NO 'FINGER-POINTING' ON THAT DAY, AS ALL FAULTS WILL BE ENTIRELY OURS. YOUR LAST STANZA THAT BEGINS WITH...THINK WISELY...! SAYS IS ALL! WONDERFUL AND SO ENJOYED! LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...HIS+INSPIRATIONS

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on October 30, 2023

I agree that who or what we are definitely is a result of fate. And as you stated near the end, the best way to deal with it is to accept it rather than try to fight it.

When I think about it, and why I wrote my autobiography, I was born poor, but rich and at the right time for so many reasons. While fate dealt me a bad blow at 20, throughout my life even though I made bad decisions, I've been lucky in so many ways I wanted to recount.

Now, looking back over all those years, I'm at ease with them. Decisions I made could have made my life much richer financially, but I doubt if it would have made me happier or healthier.

Ron

Reviewed by Jane Noponen Perinacci

Who knows,John? Just enjoy one day at a time. That's all we've got! Your words do offer different scenes to consider. The Bible says that He knew us before He made us. Rock on, John!!

Love ya!

Jane

Reviewed by Odin odin@aflx.com

Being yourself is an often avoided identity for many. Unfortunately, far too many wander about through life being whoever others think they should be, like a pinball rocker sends balls asunder, direction and purchase become only another chance destination. There are many choices in arriving at being who you are. Most don't have the need or perhaps the courage to seek it out. Good read.