Conundrum | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Poetry
  3. Free Verse
  4. Conundrum

Conundrum

September 27, 2010
By AsIAm PLATINUM, Somewhere, North Carolina
More by this author
AsIAm PLATINUM, Somewhere, North Carolina
48 articles 3 photos 606 comments

Favorite Quote:
"According to some, heroic deaths are admirable things. (Generally those who don't have to do it. Politicians and writers spring to mind.) I've never been convinced by this argument, mainly because, no matter how cool, stylish, composed, unflappable, manly, or defiant you are, at the end of the day you're also dead. Which is a little too permanent for my liking." — Jonathan Stroud (Ptolemy's Gate)

View profile

You can go away
Help get strangers back on track
Or you can stay
Enjoy these years you can never get back
You can do your duty to your country
Or you can be a soldier within your family
It’s a conundrum they said.

You can follow your dreams
Pour you sweat and your tears and your blood toward peace
Or you can stay with your heart
Nurture and cultivate your labor’s seeds
Risk your life for the cause you feel is right
Or be the rock for your children and your wife
It’s a conundrum they said.

Where is your place?
Is it a soldier – for your nation you sacrifice
Should you go or stay?
It’s hard to decide when they both feel right
Who do you owe more loyalty to?
Is it duty to country or family that dictates you?
What path should you tread, the right or the left?
It’s a conundrum they said.

© Ama L., Ottawa, ON, Canada

The author's comments:
What is duty?
Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar Articles

Previous Next
Poetry
Doll House Living
By sgrace SILVER
West Chester, Pennsylvania
sgrace SILVER, West Chester, Pennsylvania
5 articles 22 photos 18 comments
View profile
Poetry
The Protectors' of the World
By Arbys GOLD
Dobbs Ferry, New York
Arbys GOLD, Dobbs Ferry, New York
15 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity."Edgar Allan Poe
"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. ~Colin Powell" ~ Colin Powell
"Wisdom is not finally tested in the schools, Wisdom
"A poem is never finished, only abandoned."-Paul Valery

View profile
Poetry
The Unraveling Scarf
By kiwi12 PLATINUM
Austin, Texas
kiwi12 PLATINUM, Austin, Texas
28 articles 10 photos 365 comments
View profile
Poetry
But a Price to Pay
By Requiem SILVER
McCall, Idaho
Requiem SILVER, McCall, Idaho
9 articles 0 photos 2 comments
View profile
Poetry
Waiting
By wordweaver96 PLATINUM
Winchester, Kentucky
wordweaver96 PLATINUM, Winchester, Kentucky
37 articles 2 photos 254 comments

Favorite Quote:
" It is not our abilities but our choices that show who we truly are. "
Albus Dumbledore


See, we really DON'T have anything to fear but fear itself!

View profile
Poetry
cycles
By Anonymous

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 14 comments.

AsIAm PLATINUM said...
on Apr. 2 2011 at 4:03 pm
AsIAm PLATINUM, Somewhere, North Carolina
48 articles 3 photos 606 comments

Favorite Quote:
"According to some, heroic deaths are admirable things. (Generally those who don't have to do it. Politicians and writers spring to mind.) I've never been convinced by this argument, mainly because, no matter how cool, stylish, composed, unflappable, manly, or defiant you are, at the end of the day you're also dead. Which is a little too permanent for my liking." — Jonathan Stroud (Ptolemy's Gate)

View profile
Thank you so much! :) haha As you pointed out I do write about duty a lot - sort of my thing. :)  I'm glad you liked it, and thank you for the suggestions!
lilmartz PLATINUM said...
on Apr. 2 2011 at 3:32 pm
lilmartz PLATINUM, Perrysburg, Ohio
40 articles 5 photos 163 comments

Favorite Quote:
Live Life Like A Party That Never Ends

View profile
This is amazing! I know you are the author of the Duty books, so I think this is especially cool that you made a poem about the same concept. I loved every bit of this poem, except in the third stanza, line 3 "Should you go or stay?" I think it was too short that it sort of messed up the flow. If I were you I would either change that line completely or work on adding some more "meat" to it. I actually really like the idea of making it something along the lines of, "Is it a father-for your family you save." I think at least the first part would go good because it ties along with the line before that. Other than that, I thought this was really good. Nice work :)
AsIAm PLATINUM said...
on Mar. 31 2011 at 5:37 pm
AsIAm PLATINUM, Somewhere, North Carolina
48 articles 3 photos 606 comments

Favorite Quote:
"According to some, heroic deaths are admirable things. (Generally those who don't have to do it. Politicians and writers spring to mind.) I've never been convinced by this argument, mainly because, no matter how cool, stylish, composed, unflappable, manly, or defiant you are, at the end of the day you're also dead. Which is a little too permanent for my liking." — Jonathan Stroud (Ptolemy's Gate)

View profile
Thanks - this poem means a lot to me. :)
PJD17 SILVER said...
on Mar. 31 2011 at 5:07 pm
PJD17 SILVER, Belleville, Illinois
8 articles 0 photos 624 comments

Favorite Quote:
I do the best imatation of myself- Ben Folds

View profile
great work keep it up
AsIAm PLATINUM said...
on Nov. 17 2010 at 6:36 am
AsIAm PLATINUM, Somewhere, North Carolina
48 articles 3 photos 606 comments

Favorite Quote:
"According to some, heroic deaths are admirable things. (Generally those who don't have to do it. Politicians and writers spring to mind.) I've never been convinced by this argument, mainly because, no matter how cool, stylish, composed, unflappable, manly, or defiant you are, at the end of the day you're also dead. Which is a little too permanent for my liking." — Jonathan Stroud (Ptolemy's Gate)

View profile

Oooh, that's a good idea! I should do that. :)

 

I'll brainstorm another word I can use - I hadn't even noticed that. 

 

Thanks a million! :D

NeverCaredForKool-Aid GOLD said...
on Nov. 17 2010 at 6:28 am
NeverCaredForKool-Aid GOLD, Elkridge, Maryland
13 articles 0 photos 531 comments

Favorite Quote:
I don't believe in hell but I believe in my parent's couch-- Watsky

View profile

You should put this in part of the Duty series, it would go nicely.

Now, critiques.  I thought the first rhyming part sounded odd, but then I relized it wasn't the rhyming that was off, it just sounded repetative because you used 'back' twice in a short time.

My favorite line was 'nurture and cultivate your labor's seeds'  I don't know why it just sounded really inspired to me :)

AsIAm PLATINUM said...
on Nov. 12 2010 at 8:57 pm
AsIAm PLATINUM, Somewhere, North Carolina
48 articles 3 photos 606 comments

Favorite Quote:
"According to some, heroic deaths are admirable things. (Generally those who don't have to do it. Politicians and writers spring to mind.) I've never been convinced by this argument, mainly because, no matter how cool, stylish, composed, unflappable, manly, or defiant you are, at the end of the day you're also dead. Which is a little too permanent for my liking." — Jonathan Stroud (Ptolemy's Gate)

View profile
Thanks so much.  Being a member of a military family, I really hope I did it justice. :)
AshTree SILVER said...
on Nov. 12 2010 at 6:31 pm
AshTree SILVER, Clarksville, Tennessee
7 articles 0 photos 196 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Live your art" -made this one up myself. Simple, but true.

View profile
Really wonderfully put. It is an important decision and I think you captured it well. Back then when they had the uncle sam posters and such it was a large part of our lives and today some of us forget about the soldiers out there and what they are sacrificing. They have families too.
AsIAm PLATINUM said...
on Nov. 10 2010 at 1:08 pm
AsIAm PLATINUM, Somewhere, North Carolina
48 articles 3 photos 606 comments

Favorite Quote:
"According to some, heroic deaths are admirable things. (Generally those who don't have to do it. Politicians and writers spring to mind.) I've never been convinced by this argument, mainly because, no matter how cool, stylish, composed, unflappable, manly, or defiant you are, at the end of the day you're also dead. Which is a little too permanent for my liking." — Jonathan Stroud (Ptolemy's Gate)

View profile
Thanks so much :)
Phoenix97 PLATINUM said...
on Nov. 10 2010 at 1:06 pm
Phoenix97 PLATINUM, Minneapolis, Minnesota
29 articles 4 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
See lyrics to "Let the Waters Rise" by MIKESCHAIR and "Everything" by Lifehouse

View profile
This raises interesting questions... It's powerful, the way you worded this piece. The rhyming is relevant and unforced. It doesn't read even like you "made" it rhyme but like it naturally came that way. Excellent work.
AsIAm PLATINUM said...
on Oct. 10 2010 at 10:20 pm
AsIAm PLATINUM, Somewhere, North Carolina
48 articles 3 photos 606 comments

Favorite Quote:
"According to some, heroic deaths are admirable things. (Generally those who don't have to do it. Politicians and writers spring to mind.) I've never been convinced by this argument, mainly because, no matter how cool, stylish, composed, unflappable, manly, or defiant you are, at the end of the day you're also dead. Which is a little too permanent for my liking." — Jonathan Stroud (Ptolemy's Gate)

View profile
Thank you so much!  I'll check your stuff. :D
thewriteidea DIAMOND said...
on Oct. 10 2010 at 1:44 pm
thewriteidea DIAMOND, Pleasanton, California
67 articles 0 photos 336 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Don't cry that it's over, smile because it has happened."

View profile

so good! i really love this piece. you are a great writer!

rate/comment on some of my work too if you'd like. keep writing

AsIAm PLATINUM said...
on Oct. 9 2010 at 9:53 pm
AsIAm PLATINUM, Somewhere, North Carolina
48 articles 3 photos 606 comments

Favorite Quote:
"According to some, heroic deaths are admirable things. (Generally those who don't have to do it. Politicians and writers spring to mind.) I've never been convinced by this argument, mainly because, no matter how cool, stylish, composed, unflappable, manly, or defiant you are, at the end of the day you're also dead. Which is a little too permanent for my liking." — Jonathan Stroud (Ptolemy's Gate)

View profile
Thanks so much!  Duty is a constant mental battle for me (as you can see with a lot of my writing), so it is nice to see somebody who gets what I'm saying. :)
Phoenixx GOLD said...
on Oct. 9 2010 at 7:13 pm
Phoenixx GOLD, Toronto, Other
17 articles 0 photos 184 comments
View profile

I LOVE!!!!

Great work :D

its like a mental battle put on paper in the form of poetry