The Birth of Choice - debate via prose or poetry prompt - carl - missouri

debate via prose or poetry prompt - a planned route

“Come walk with me awhile

side by side we will journey

forward to what lies ahead-

in our sweet time, no hurry.

Just follow the day, be glad 

and avoid any imagined rift-

no decision needs be made

for choice does not exist.

Taken from where you are

to where you’re meant to be

whatever occurs is your fate-

just go with the flow and see.”

But as the path divided ahead

and you continued on alone

I stopped dead in my tracks 

as a wonderment did arise,

“Why the left and not the right?”

Your response I quickly heard  

“Our destiny has gone this way.”

but to me that sounded absurd

yet I thrilled beyond all measure

to be present at a time and place

when Choice, that never existed,

came to show its newborn face.

Author's Note

this is a rework of an earlier piece - for the prompt in the description

Reviews

[Ayesha Faiz]

This poem is really beautiful and thoughtful. It starts calmly, like a peaceful walk through life with someone close, just going with the flow. But then it suddenly shifts when the path splits and that’s such a powerful moment. The way it shows how we think we have no choice, yet somehow choice quietly appears, is so deep. It makes you stop and think about fate and free will. The ending feels both surprising and meaningful like a quiet truth finally being seen. It's a lovely mix of emotion, connection, and deep reflection. Excellent work, Carl.

[Gregoria Ahmed]

A thoughtful meditation on fate versus free will. The early stanzas invite us to surrender and “go with the flow,” but as the speaker pauses at a crossroads, the reality of choice emerges-uncertain, thrilling, and deeply human. Carl’s gentle rhyme and pacing make this philosophical awakening feel intimate and profound. A quiet rebellion against the idea that everything is predetermined.

[carl]

Thank you for the time to read and review - I appreciate your comment concerning rhyme and pacing and the conclusion that it is as I intended a challenge that choice is real and always a factor to some degree in our path taken - carl

[Gregoria Ahmed]

Thank you, Carl, I'm glad to know my interpretation aligned with your intention. Your poem invites reflection and quiet confrontation with ideas we often take for granted. It’s always a gift when a piece carries both resonance and conversation.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I enjoyed this. I believe everything in life is a choice and the decisions we make help craft our fate and our future. I think the birth of choice is realized that first moment when a baby says "no".

[carl]

Thanks you sir, I wholeheartedly agree on your estimation of choice and the part it plays in our future. I just cannot accept the idea that choice is non-existent. I know that some ascribe to that idea, and this is not meant to disparage them - carl

[Lorry]

The first verse is like youth, when you are just starting out and are both eager to just go with the flow of the day.
But life becomes less of a meander if we let it and then we decide to make immediate choices to save time and get "there" that bit quicker and then that's when one voice becomes the stronger and eventually leaves the other behind like an ill thought out suitcase that is deemed to be weighing us down.
When both sides disagree they only realise their own perspective and barely even acknowledge that the two that started the journey together have changed beyond recognition, because to each person's mind it is only the other that has changed and there is absolutely no chance squared that the "I" in this scenario has changed at all, although we both know that is a lie.
We are all just jagged little pebbles worn smooth by time.

[carl]

what an enjoyable an d thought provoking review - thanks you the read and insightful review - much appreciated - carl

[John the Baptist]

This is a very philosophical poem that deals with the birth of choice in the human consciousness. The first verses come across in a reassuring tone where a voice seems to be encouraging another to go with the flow. This continues apparently undisputed until another voice disputes this strategy. This is the birth of choice. Actually, I kind of like going with the flow.

[carl]

Is it okay to say - that is your choice. Thank you for your read and your thoughts - I think the flow is good but there are decisions we have to make - I know because I have made some really bad ones - and the flow produced by them almost carried me away and not in a good way more like the river of no return - - I really appreciate and value your input and again thanks - carl

[.]

Woah! This is a poem with a very powerful meaning, adorned with very rich expressions. The title immediately drew me in and I was stuck on this quote "be glad- to avoid any imagined rift"
This poem really has it all. Great images, nicely chosen words, meaning, thoughts...
"when Choice, that never existed,"
A very valuable poem. I think everyone should read. Thank you so so much for sharing. I'll hang around this a bit to think a while...

[carl]

Thank you kindly for taking the time to read and review - I greatly appreciate your encouragement and your kind words - carl