Choices

for help in finding evil's source
one first must understand, of course
what evil actually is
it seems as easy as a breeze
is it a glitch? character flaw?
(do try avoiding Godwin's Law)
banality would soon emerge
leading contender for the scourge

but all those explanations lack
the clarity of white and black
a lack of empathy and care
is not sufficient, though it's there
the universe itself observes
but hardly interferes, it serves
to purely keep a going score
it's surely neutral in its core

when thinking about god and love
and absent all of the above
does evil simply manifest
as a celestial trial? a test?
a sorting challenge for your soul
which isn't really in control?
free will be damned
they had you jammed!

no, that's too easy, is it not
we all know, and if not, we ought
that choices are what makes a man
and choices, never mind the plan
choices for evil, or for good
choices considered, understood
we are our choices, they are we
and evil's source? it's you and me

Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2792617-The-source-of-evil