Choices by Nikki Giovanni

A favorite of mine:

Choices.

By Nikki Giovanni

"if i can't do what i want to do

then my job is to not do what i don't want to do
"it's not the same thing but it's the best i can do
"if i can't have what i want then my job is to want what i've got

and be satisfied that at least thereis something moreto want
"since i can't go where i need to go

then i must go where the signs point

though always understanding parallel movement isn't lateral
"when i can't express what i really feel

i practice feeling what i can express

and none of it is equali know

but that's why mankind alone among the animals learns to cry"