Home » Poems » Brian Sambourne » Of Fatalism

Of Fatalism

powerless to the force of fate?
the futility of human will
       when fate swallows free will like a tidal sea
       when choice is neither safe nor certain
you embrace everything happening as fate's design,
                                            an inevitability 
perhaps an unseen deity pulling puppet strings?

we are like mismatched spoons in a drawer
to me, there's substance in free will
often wrong directions spinning us out of control
realism that springs from life's seeds

no submissiveness to fate
no resignation to what's believed inevitable

with no obvious design, chance breeds tales of sorrow
sometimes the good end unluckily 
                      while the bad can prosper
unequal outcomes remain unexplained
it's not a world to yield its secrets
bad luck happens (no reflection on self)
                 it's widespread like bird droppings

Can we reach a different conclusion?
        to value moments of misdirection
        when personal error becomes art,
                                            poetry that rattles our nerves
from the keen edge of free will,
                choice
                that stretches beyond a fated helpless
                to know that the stars aren't calling the shots

                to know that a world of war-hell
                                           is a hell of our own making



Poem composed August 29/2022
For Edward Ibeh
Contest: This or That Volume 13

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Thomas Wells

Date: 10/3/2022 8:33:00 PM

Wonderful poem and an excellent topic! I know nothing about your recent diagnosis. I hope it isn't life-threatening. I think Aristotle had it right when he observed that future outcomes are based on chance. -Thomas

Brian Sambourne
Date: 10/3/2022 8:47:00 PM

Hello Thomas, Such thoughtful comments from you, like traditions in a holiday season. Most appreciative of your remarks + telling, precise quotes. Be well dear fellow. Brian (Health issues in check here.)

Gary Radice

Date: 9/12/2022 8:15:00 AM

Hi Brian. I'm sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and wish you all the very best from this side of The Pond along your road to recovery. Just to let you know your excellent, deep layered poem had me researching Causal determinism, Predeterminism, Theological determinism and Logical determinism. I never know what to expect from a Brian Sambourne poem.. other than sheer brilliance. :) Cheers - Gary

Brian Sambourne
Date: 9/12/2022 4:59:00 PM

Hi Gary, Thank you for kind, supportive wishes. I wouldn't say my poetic ramblings are brilliant (very good maybe) but I appreciate your kind words. As you mention, Gary, there are a number of theories on determinism. I am unable to accept that the future is fixed, unalterable by design from some unseen force or diety. There seems a chaotic randomness to life only governed (in part) by personal freedom + choice. If folks wish to see events, actions even death as pre-determined then I respect their right to do so. Moral responsibility + choice of possibilities matter more than a single, fated path open to me. Best wishes, Brian

Susan Woodrow

Date: 9/9/2022 8:46:00 AM

This was an awesome write… i agree with your views re the matter; we all have choices to make and I am not going to just sit back and accept the inevitable! It’s like many I encounter say the world is going to end so let’s just forget about doing our part to make it last as long as it could!! When every little effort combines to make a huge difference, we must keep trying….besides the end has been forecast for so long it’s getting tiresome :)

Brian Sambourne
Date: 9/9/2022 9:41:00 AM

Greetings Susan, Thank you greatly for reading + commenting on my posting. I concur - that human action (+ consequences) determined by forces outside of personal will seems a flawed belief. Life is a muddle, but personal choice + action offers hope. Be well. Sincerest regards, Brian

David Kavanagh

Date: 9/5/2022 12:03:00 PM

Of course we have choice Brian, we make decisions every day, will I go left or right, random events will happen some lucky some not, but on the whole we can change personal bad habits, give up smoking, exercise more, eat better etc, will improve our health and life experience, but probably won’t stop that bus coming towards us, fantastic poem congratulations on your top spot win, cheers David

David Kavanagh
Date: 9/5/2022 1:04:00 PM

Im so sorry to hear of your prostate cancer diagnosis Brian, I genuinely hope any treatment you receive is successful, cheers David

Brian Sambourne
Date: 9/5/2022 12:25:00 PM

I agree - choice is self evident. However, I continue to encounter folks who believe in determinism - that the date + time of my death is pre-ordained by a diety. That my prostate cancer (or other ills) are punishment from above. No church visits, so no lottery win. I can't see validity in such views. Good/bad luck happens randomly + thru personal choices. That was the intent of my piece. Thank you 4 commenting. Be well. Brian

Sotto Poet

Date: 9/4/2022 5:00:00 PM

Oh, the dilemmas that destiny poses to you, Brian. You cover a significant amount of ground; I especially like the portion when best wishes run out and evil gets ahead; it appears that this may be the path that complicated earth is headed down. Congratulations on your win, which was certainly deserved.

Brian Sambourne
Date: 9/4/2022 7:35:00 PM

Greetings Sotto Poet, My appreciation for your thoughtful comments. Yes a "complicated earth" (as you write) where randomness affects most while warmongers inflict conscious brutality. A reality of chance + choice vying for dominance. Be well. Brian

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 9/4/2022 10:07:00 AM

I'd like to think we have choice Brian. :) Congratulations on your top win! Linda

Linda Alice Fowler
Date: 9/4/2022 3:36:00 PM

I hold fully to the belief that each person is responsible for his/her path in life. I changed my lifestyle and habits a few years back and am happier/healthier for it. :) Linda

Brian Sambourne
Date: 9/4/2022 2:57:00 PM

Thank you, Linda, for your stop by + comment. I am surprised by the contest recognition. To resign one's life to a fated existence seems misplaced to me. My own struggle with prostate cancer is more a genetic inheritance + poor diet choices than any unseen force. Be well. Brian (Thank you for your follow-up Linda. Huxley wrote that 'the only thing one can be sure of changing is one's self.' Personal responsibility for self (+ one's choices) is vital for self knowledge. Congratulations on re-directing your life. Sincerest regards, Brian )

Edward Ibeh

Date: 9/4/2022 9:57:00 AM

Heartiest congratulations on your top win with this outstanding poem, Brian:-). Have a blessed Sunday!

Brian Sambourne
Date: 9/4/2022 3:04:00 PM

Thank you, Edward, for the recognition + placement. I know determinism is popular among readers, like ill-fated lovers (Romeo + Juliet). My own preference is for self determination, not events governed by an unseen force beyond our control. Sincerest regards, Brian

Joseph May

Date: 9/3/2022 5:54:00 AM

A thought provoking verse between fate and free will, Very nicely rendered

Brian Sambourne
Date: 9/3/2022 5:58:00 AM

Thank you, Joseph. I was hoping to spur thought + reflection for the readers. We all have different views of determinism. To me, the world seems a chaotic whirl of human intervention + bad choices with dire consequences. Be well. Brian

Harry Horsman

Date: 8/30/2022 6:06:00 AM

Oh the questions of fate, Brian. You cover so much, love the part, where good luck ends, and evil prospers, a complex earth seems to be going down that road. Will equilibrium at death i wonder be the ultimate answer to that.

Brian Sambourne
Date: 8/30/2022 6:26:00 AM

Greetings Harry, Your thoughtful comments are always valued. Quite correctly noted, only at death might there be a reckoning for evil. The unknown has always been a source of speculation. Till then, seize the day my friend - and make good matter. Sincerest regards, Brian