Two of your children
drowning you can save but one
which one will it be
Could you live in guilt
with such a choice that you made
Could yourself forgive
Knowing that you chose
which would live and which would die
How could you go on
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Author:
sorenbarrett (
Offline) - Published: March 23rd, 2026 03:07
- Comment from author about the poem: Enchou sareta senryu - extended senryu this is a set of three all connected
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 120
- Users favorite of this poem: GenXer Sharon 🙏🍀, Tristan Robert Lange, Teddy.15, Friendship, Efrain Cajar, William Hromada
- In collections: Choices, Guilt, Senryu.
Offline)
Comments17
Haven't seen that dilemma in a long long time, Soren. Still interesting. Thanks for the revival.
Thanks for the read Dave it came to mind thinking of my sons in their teens surfing in the after hurricane surf. Ended up leaving knowing I wouldn\'t be able to save either one if they got in trouble
You are welcome, Soren - you should pin the old train/trolly dilemma - kill five people or one up here too.
Thankfully I have no kids - I feel a little remote from this one...
Three very coherent senryus in good order.
the thought is almost too much to bear
Thanks Norman for the read and comment it is most appreciated.
welcome
A dilemma presented nicely in just few words!!
Thank you so much for the read and comment Prachi it is most appreciated
I definitely couldn't choose.
- Syd 🍄
Thank you for the read and comment it is a difficult decision one or none. I appreciate your support
Indeed. How could you choose! Could one be spared that agony?! 🙏🏻🕊️
Thanks Cryptic for your read and comment it is deeply appreciated. Although not many of us have to make this choice thankfully it is made by us in lesser ways all the time.
I must agree with that truth 🙏🏻🕊️
Not a choice one would want to have to make. Good write.
Thanks so much for the read and comment Sharon it is most appreciated
Master are there answers without questions ?
There are but you can's ask or you will never know. Thanks so much for the read and comment Lorenz it is most appreciated
My friend, this hits heavy…right away it puts you in a place no one wants to be. That weight of the choice doesn’t let up…it just keeps pressing. Well done and a fave. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thank you so much Tristan your read and comment are always most anticipated and appreciated
If it was a rubbish dump with KP and someone else, I would leave KP there every time! lol. Well, dunno why she would complain. She would have the sewage available there and then!
Well I guess that settles that then. Thanks so much Orchi for the read and comment it is most appreciated
My kids like to ask me this question and my answers go like i would save the youngest as the bigger one can fend for himself.
Actually in a real case it happened in a tsunami and the mom did let go of her older child keeping the baby in her arms and luckily they were united much later.
Thumbs up for the poem!
Plz also read and comment my newest poem too
Thank you so much for the read and comment it is deeply appreciated. I read all the poems so if you don't see my response let me know I do overlook things sometimes but not on purpose
Wow sorrenbarret what a question I'd actually not save either and die myself. What a week I'm having! 🌹
Ah so sorry Teddy for the difficulty. Thanks for the response and I doubt that you would I tend to think you would do the best that you could with the circumstances given
This trilogy is comprised of every loving parents nightmare .. yes, that damned good .. Neville
Thank so much Neville you are so right a nightmare indeed and never felt so helpless as watching my sons surf in the surf following a hurricane and knowing that if they got into trouble I would not be able to help them. Couldn't watch so went home saying what ever will be will be.
This poem explores the moral and emotional turmoil of a parent faced with an impossible choice: saving one child over another. It delves into the profound guilt and psychological burden that such a decision would impose on any parent.
Thank you Friendship you are right on target to the heart of the poem and it is most appreciated
Could the Child that survived also forgive?
Thought provoking Poem.
Good question room for more thought. We all have choices in this life that we have to live with. Thank you so much for the read Kevin it is deeply appreciated and your comment most valued.
Such a hard question to answer and deal with afterwards.
Andy
Thank you Andy for the review and comment. Yes fortunately one most don't have to make but metaphorically we make other such decisions in our lives and live with the consequences.
1 Kings 3:16-28
Here the obverse there the true parent abdicates parental rights to save the life of their child. There the child parted kills both halves here one half of the pair lives by taking action. Yes I see the similarities in that it is a parental dilema and a sacrifice. Appreciate the read and connection thank you very much for the support James
Something I would want to choose!
Thanks so much William I appreciate your support and encouragement
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