The Lack of -

Written in ABABCC

Explanation: The word ‘choice’, ‘decision’, and other personal preference vocabulary is removed from the narrator’s vocabulary until they understand the word. I was trying to emulate Newspeak in 1984, where they are making a new language so that traitorous thoughts aren’t possible if the vocabulary doesn’t exist.

I stood at the crossroads, the destinations couldn’t be viewed

I was told where to go, my decision foretold

I couldn’t be moved, no dreams could be pursued

I was told what to do, who to be, one who could be controlled

My room was his, but his was not mine

I was told not to think, not to do, to be dull and benign

With this, I lived as I was told

I rose and did what was necessary, what was required

No matter his Thought, he was holy and righteous; his very flesh was of gold

I serviced him; he did as he pleased, whatever he desired

But I Thought (how strange), what would happen if I were he, if he were I

I wonder if he would learn how to comply

I dusted and mopped till it was all like new

Upon his library, I saw his books and couldn’t help but look through

Such language, such stories and I could see the change in my view

What had I done all this time, my head down so I could not outdo

I had had no Thoughts on this, no say. No…Choice?

Choice, is what I lacked, though I had a voice

He, the holy, the righteous, saw what I was involved in

His face, his eyes, there was anger but also…fear?

He spoke with fervor of my place, my Choice a sin

I asked him why he chose for me, he answered with a sneer

“The Shes cannot do for themselves, the Hes were born for it”

I asked him again as to why the Hes were the right fit

“You see, your questions are foolish and dull, 

This is why, as He, I do it all.”

I frowned and pondered and Thought this explained null

But went on with my job, to forestall

He was careful and watched to make sure I did not stray

So I worked and was silent for the rest of the day

I stood at the crossroads, the destinations couldn’t be viewed

I was told where to go, my decision foretold

I couldn’t be moved, no dreams could be pursued

I was told what to do, who to be, one who could be controlled

And now I knew why, why I could not choose

The destinations were not my own but they were whose?