Decision

Poet's note: Gilbert Sordebabari's poem "Decision" contemplates the profound and universal dilemmas of human existence—our origins, our destinations, and the choices we make along the way. Through philosophical inquiry, vivid imagery, and reflective questioning, the poet explores the concept of free will, the burden of decision-making, and the paradoxes inherent in moral choice. The poem’s structure, rhythm, and use of symbolism deepen its impact, creating a thought-provoking meditation on destiny, faith, and the nature of human agency. Theme of Existential Uncertainty The poem begins with a series of existential questions: “Why are we here? / From what shore did we roam? / Where do we go—this path, unknown?” These questions frame the central theme of the poem: uncertainty about the human condition. The speaker expresses skepticism toward claims of knowledge, noting that despite humanity’s confidence in understanding, we are often "led astray." This captures the inherent tension between our desire for certainty and the elusive, often unknowable nature of life’s larger questions. By invoking "God or gods," Sordebabari also introduces the tension between faith and doubt. The use of both monotheistic and polytheistic figures reflects the universality of these questions across cultures and belief systems, while the poet’s critique—"But who shaped the devil, who crafted the seed of sin?"—questions the very foundation of good and evil, suggesting that even these binaries are fraught with ambiguity. The mention of deception tied to religious entities adds a layer of distrust, subtly suggesting that even divine knowledge may not hold the answers humanity seeks. The Burden of Moral Choice One of the most compelling aspects of the poem is its exploration of moral choice, particularly through the mythic imagery of a messenger, a spared child, and a foretold fate. The poem evokes a classical tragedy—echoing tales such as Oedipus—where fate appears inescapable. The question “who bears the blame?” is pivotal, as it exposes the complexity of guilt and responsibility. Is the messenger wrong for showing mercy, or is it the gods who have laid out a destiny so cruel? This section forces the reader to consider the nature of free will and predestination. The line "If pity spares, then is it sin? / If killing’s righteous, where do we begin?" speaks to the moral paradoxes we encounter in life, where actions commonly perceived as good (pity, mercy) can lead to disastrous consequences, while acts of violence might be sanctioned under certain conditions. Here, Sordebabari challenges the simplicity of conventional morality, suggesting that the lines between good and evil, sin and righteousness, are blurred. Decision as a Life-Sustaining Force The poem’s metaphor of decision-making as an essential, life-sustaining element—“decision is the tide we cannot live without”—is one of its most powerful images. Decision becomes the “water of life,” something inescapable and necessary for survival, yet fraught with danger. It feeds, cleanses, and sustains, but it also drowns. This duality captures the essential ambivalence of choice: while decisions give structure and meaning to our lives, they also carry the potential for both creation and destruction. The idea that decision is both “the river in which we’re confined” and something that “builds paradise” but also “opens hell’s gate” reveals the poet's nuanced understanding of fate and free will. Though we are bound to our decisions, they are not entirely our own—“Yet often, our choices / are not our own, / we do not choose / where we’re first shown.” This recognition of life’s initial conditions—the accident of birth, the limitations imposed by circumstances—adds a layer of existential determinism to the poem. It suggests that while decision-making is essential, our control over our choices is limited. Imagery and Symbolism Sordebabari employs rich imagery and symbolism to illustrate the abstract concepts of fate, choice, and morality. The recurring water imagery—“ocean,” “tide,” “river”—evokes fluidity and movement, suggesting that decision-making, like water, is an ongoing process. The water metaphor also highlights the idea of inevitability; just as water follows a natural course, so do the decisions that guide our lives. The poem also uses mythological and religious symbolism to engage with questions of destiny and moral ambiguity. The figure of the messenger sparing a child evokes ancient themes of prophecy and doom, while the allusions to “God or gods” and “fortune-telling” suggest that human lives are governed by forces beyond our control. These symbols create a rich tapestry of meaning, drawing on both Western and non-Western traditions to explore universal questions. Structure and Form The poem’s free verse structure allows the poet to move fluidly between ideas, reflecting the shifting, uncertain nature of the subject matter. The questions posed throughout the poem create a rhythm of inquiry, drawing the reader deeper into the speaker’s philosophical reflections. The lack of a consistent rhyme scheme or meter reinforces the sense of unpredictability and ambiguity that runs through the poem. However, the repetition of key phrases and ideas—such as “who bears the blame” and the imagery of decision as water—gives the poem a subtle coherence and unity. The poem’s conclusion—*“So no matter where you stand, / decide. / Hold tight to your choice, / for it’s yours to abide”*—offers a resolution, albeit a tentative one. The speaker acknowledges the limitations of human agency but urges the reader to embrace decision-making nonetheless. In this final exhortation, the poet suggests that while we may not control every aspect of our fate, we must still take responsibility for the choices we make within the confines of our lives. Conclusion In "Decision", Gilbert Sordebabari deftly combines existential inquiry with rich imagery and symbolism to explore the complexities of human choice and fate. The poem engages with profound moral and philosophical questions, challenging the reader to consider the nature of free will, the ambiguity of moral decisions, and the forces that shape our lives. By presenting decision-making as both a life-giving and potentially destructive force, the poem captures the paradoxes that define the human condition. It is a meditation not only on choice, but on the very nature of existence itself.