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Some time ago, I told you about my unpublished Self Versus Self project. It is a literary project comprised of a literary-fiction novel and a narrative poem. It will remain unpublished, at least for the foreseeable future, due to its experimental nature. Its central theme revolves around coincidence and fate, and whether one can avoid them, adapt to them, or manipulate them.

Parenthetically, those interested in a more academic treatise of the issue, can find a short excerpt in my article on Frankenstein.

In today’s article, I’m using an excerpt from the narrative poem to talk a bit about fate and coincidence. Interestingly enough, the story is true and indeed occurred to my own late grandfather, exactly as it is portrayed.

Coincidence and Fate

1

My dad this story tells with much delight,
so details if you want, you should ask him.
For more than happy he’d be to recite,
and give you all those things that I do trim.

My grandpa was a hunter very skilled,
he’d hit the bullseye from a thousand yards.
Though people oft such stories like to gild,
as fully true at least my dad regards.

Before his army service did commence,
he had to undergo some tests of skill.
The war was looming, things were very tense,
and fresh recruits went through a shooting drill.

My grandpa had been told by other men,
to cheat and hide his splendid shooting skill.
‘Or else machine-gun role you’ll get, and then
the awful weight your back will surely kill.’

And so did all recruits line up to shoot,
my grandpa in his plan quite resolute.

2

‘Just take a look!’ my silly grandpa said,
‘I’ll send all bullets to the clouded sky!’
Enough was not to do the deed, instead
he had to brag to the adjacent guy.

What though my grandpa didn’t really know,
was that the sergeant stood behind his feet.
As soon as grandpa spoke, came hard the blow,
and threats of prison if he’d tried to cheat.

His butt still hurting by the sergeant’s boot,
he realized his options had been spent.
He concentrated well and he did shoot,
and all the rounds into the bullseye went.

The feared machine gun he did get indeed,
but – think about it – this his life did save.
For in the war the rest went forth to bleed,
while he supported them, their way to pave.

So if we’re walking on the beach with beers,
comes down to just a sergeant and his ears

Note: Since coincidence and fate (or what people perceive as such anyway) are two recurring topics in my work, you might also find this text interesting.

Most of my novels are available as an immediate free download – simply visit the Fiction page on the main site. And remember, you can also just email me and ask for a free, no-strings-attached (e.g. review etc.) digital copy of any of my books.