Predestined

Am I a whale?

Migrating, drifting, each day searching anew,

Instinct erasing all meaning from my actions…

Driven by coded DNA compulsion,

Beached, beyond the tidal swells,

While sharks feed on my impulse?

 

Am I a dog?

Rewarded for loyal behavior,

Wagging the tail of preconditioned responses…

Digging holes to bury treasured rotting bones,

Eating grasses’ bladed cure,

Vomiting past the dry nose of my soul.

 

 I am a man!

Building on ancestral foundations,

Intellect and reason placing each stone…

Passions cementing construct,

Walls of cause and effect rise and fall,

Predestined to choose my own destiny.

Reviews

[Belle]

Some people are believers of circumstances, that a man who meets calamity as a result of his action should not blame the fate or others for the belief that each man only receives just results of his own action. This is absolute truth specially in the minds of existentialists, but for some others points of view, man since birth has a destination because there are many factors, predeterminers that shape and/or control man's life. One of them is the man's law, though this kind of predeterminer can still be broken by those who have courage enough to go on transgression, but still the norms set by society can absolutely define man's existence. Another one is the DNA ( as you have mentioned in this poem), once a man is genetically coded to have sickle cell disease then he'll live for the rest of his life suffering from the disorder ( well, probably not if science can find faster way to alter this kind of disorder since according to gnome experts if patience will undergo stem cell treatment it will still take years to see the result). What I am trying to say is that, we may have all the freedom, the capacity, the capability to define our own existence but there are these factors, predeterminers that we can never get ourselves off, and we have no choice but to be passive...So to say, I have already accepted that my protein is giving me curly hair and I am doomed to live with curly hair ;)

David, I am so glad you are back. You stirred my mind and soul once again. :)

[David Scott]

Dear dear Belle...
I am honored you felt my words stir your mind tonight.
You show intellect and wisdom in your response.
My intention was to present this philosophical concept in simple terms with simple examples...
I guess I could have avoided the last line, but it does speak my undestanding of the ultimate freedom to choose my eternal destiny.
You are 100% correct in stating we do not control the environment of our human existence, but we have 100% control and accountability concerning our spiritual destiny.
I love your depth of discussion. Thank you for your gifted response Belle.

[Belle]

No, the last line is powerful paradox. It is for me a good ending that reader can have in mind to think of. And it is also best that you included the DNA, the two makes the poem complex which opens up readers to another truth...

[Tate Morgan]

It sure made a better man if me

[KatDarkness]

This is excellent! I do love the second stanza, the line "digging holes to bury treasured rotting bones"

[David Scott]

Thank you Kat.
Yes... I find myself hiding these little treasures in my life... How stupid eh? Oh well...
When the moon changes... maybe. ha.

[Horizon K.]

I do know, some who are whales and dogs, or place thier stones with no thought to the effects they will cause... But those who are true to this vision you draw might perhaps create thier own fate... And fate is a delicate subject indeed, for even with the most careful placement of myself, there are others who hold my destiny in thier hands, who will decide for me, the next steps I am allowed... A very thought provoking piece Scott... Glad you are back too, btw...

[David Scott]

Thank you for reading Horizon.
I am not sure how active I will be for now, but I never left really... I was still reviewing and talking with a few friends. Just not posting my thoughts. I may yet maintain some healthy distance.
I suspect you will understand and avail yourself to the power of choosing your own "steps" I life.
Continue in peace and well being my friend! :)

[Horizon K.]

I understand perfectly... I am finding my way here and elsewhere too, inching along, step by step... Be well, dear friend.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

david,

this is damn good..great metaphor in the first two stanzas...

we can reason...and often we get to reason why we have shown very little reason in our decisions and paths of life we take...

beached and digging holes for our rotting bones...i think we are a combination of all three.

i for one am so glad to see you back and writing again, my friend.

a philosophical poet with much insight...

[David Scott]

Good morning Jacob. :)
I never stop writing and more importantly actively thinking. I find at times I do need to retire to my cave. Ha. Am I a bear? ;)
Thank you for your generosity of spirit!

[Angi]

I was upset to see you had closed your account, mister! Where is all of your work?? So glad to see you here, thinking about all the possibilities that your life is and can be. Questioning what we are doing and choosing to embrace all that our lives bring is something I have been doing a lot of. Nicely done, David. Angi~

[David Scott]

Hello Angi!
Yes, processing life can require stepping back from activities at times.
Worry not. I am well.
The fact that I can disengage is a healthy indicator for me.
I'm glad the poetry was passable. One never really knows. ;)

[Jack...]

David, this is so cool. Each of us has has a hand in choosing what we will become, it is our right to find that path that we want to walk down and walk down it. Perhaps somewhere along the line a different path may appear that seems more attractive, that is our choice. Indeed there are some detours in the way, obstacles and such, but it is through our own determination that we put ourselves in the right position to suceed or fail, what ever we decide. Very nicely done my friend.

[David Scott]

Thank you for your kind words Jack.
The German in me is always calling me to go a wondering... ha.

[Frieda P]

I love this one David, a bit animalistic but you end on a spiritual note, gave me much food for thought here, I'm not sure man can choose his own destiny all the time, there are always predetermining factors that slap us upside the head in the interim of seeking out our own design. Excellent read, so jazzed to see you back my sweet friend! xo

[David Scott]

Thank you Frieda. Animalistic? Ha!!! Love it.
I'll be here, but somewhat subdued...
Still need to maintain balance and priorities.
Work is requiring more attention beyond the patient care.
It is all good.
Life is blessed! :)
Love you much dear Frieda.

[Frieda P]

RAWR, I thought that might get you ;-) Love you too dear friend, don't be too subdued, or I'll have to come looking for you. :-) xo

[David Scott]

Here kitty kitty. Easy now, nice kitty.
Ahhchew! Dang allergies... ;)

[Robbie~xoxo~]

"Passions cementing construct,

Walls of cause and effect rise and fall,

Predestined to choose my own destiny."~ You must follow your heart first, and do what you love, for your destiny will be mapped out before you... I believe you control things to an extent, but there are other forces that may integrate with your life that may change your course.. We can never really know.

Thought provoking write, my dear friend!~xoxo~:)

[David Scott]

First, thank you for so much... And for the review.
Yes, we do not control our journey... Like Odysseys, the fates play havoc.
Yet I firmly believe we have an eternal destination well within the confines of our choosing.
You make a valid observation we are not able to "control" the variables we encounter.
I love your analytical mind as much or more than your sensual passionate expressions... The blend of the two is intoxicating to be sure.

[Robbie~xoxo~]

You always enlighten me... and bring such wonderful thought to ponder..
Thank you for your supportive friendship and encouraging me to challenge myself everyday...
I treasure your dear heart....well expressed here~xoxo~:)

[Lydia Shutter]

"Predestined to choose my own destiny"....hmmm.....do we really choose our own destiny? The question men...and women.. have asked for ages. I liked the whale and dog comparisons. Of course, many would say we are rewarded for loyal behavior and we certainly do have preconditioned responses. So much to ponder here, David. Nice to see you posting again. Lydi**

[David Scott]

Thank you Lydi.
It is not really a question in my mind at this point in my life... Yes, man and woman... It is just that I am a man, but this could be said for both sexes equally. "I am a Human", is really the point and that means, in my mind, we have "free will" and as such we all get to choose something... ;)
I enjoy philosophical debate and even when I feel solid in my understanding of a topic I try to explore new ideas and new depth in my own understanding.
Thank you again for the review and for your friendship.

[Dye]

" I am a man!

Building on ancestral foundations,
Intellect and reason placing each stone…
Passions cementing construct,
Walls of cause and effect rise and fall,
Predestined to choose my own destiny."

Your words hold so much truth in this my friend. The ability to control your destiny is a gift, one to use wisely. It is nice to see your face (literally) around here :)

[David Scott]

:)
Thank you Dye.
I show my heart in my poetry... Maybe too much at times.
Yes, it is a gift to be human and sentient. A gift we often waste.
I'm happy to be seen, but I have been reading and reviewing my friends.
I love the experiences and the variety of souls I find here!