24 February 2009

Nikki's "Choices"

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 there
is something more to want

Since i can't go
where i need
to go . . . then i must . . . go
where the signs point
through 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 equal

I know
but that's why mankind
alone among the animals
learns to cry
© Nikki Giovanni

[source...]

3 voices:

Dick said...

There's a strong flavour of R.D. Laing's 'Knots' in this behavioural self-analysis. Striking.

Robin Konarz said...

Very lovely, Rethabile. It is a great expression of the universal need to be authentic.

I wrote a very rough draft of a new poem this morning! It feels so good to play with words again. Maybe someday I'll even become a good poet...

Rethabile said...

Haven't read Knots, yet, Dick, but would like to. Introspective (is that a word?) is what comes to mind.

Robin, I'm heading over to your place.