Two Choices

Our data is collected, and they know us all by name;
They make a digital profile, and then put us in a frame.
They trace all of our commerce, and the music that we hear,
The things that bring us happiness, and those that cause us fear.

With AI in their arsenal, they analyze the bytes.
We gave away our privacy and handed them our rights.
By viewing terms of service and then clicking "I agree,"
We told them they could have it all, and have it all for free.

Some say "I have no secrets. I don't care what all they know.
I'm not ashamed of what I watch or places that I go."
The more they know about me, better service they provide,
And since I live an honest life, I have nothing to hide."

It's more than just our privacy; our freedom is at stake.
They engineer behavior with the tools they now can make.
Profile the subject, then predict, next program and control;
They want to know what moves us, then manipulate our soul.

They advertise to sell us goods; they work on other plans.
Their AIs still in training, much more data it demands.
They train it on behavior, human mind to replicate;
Their goal is to replace us, and for this they cannot wait.

But thankfully we have a God, who sits in heaven above.
He analyzes every step but watches out of love.
He does not need our business, as He has nothing to sell;
He leads His children in the light, delivers them from hell.

His purpose is to make us free, and not to sell us out.
Of His loving purpose, there's no need to be in doubt.
He does not send us down a path that ends in our disgrace,
But down the path of righteousness where we shall see His face.

We tell Him all our heartaches, knowing He will never share.
The tears we cry, He bottles up, but for our own welfare.
Toward humble souls who trust His word, He has a Father's heart;
He's interested in our soul, not in our shopping cart.

He won't exploit our weakness, gives us strength for ever day.
He promises forgiveness for the things we do and say.
To Him we're irreplaceable, the apple of His eye;
There's no posthuman future for the God who sits on high.


Two choices lie before us: spend our life on social sites,
Or meditate upon God's word each day and every night.
Spend all our time plugged in online and feed the monstrous beast,
Or humbly sit down at His word, where He's prepared a feast.

This poem won first place for the January 2026 poetry contest