Nikki Giovanni

This sister touched my spirit years ago with her poem " My House". She said something like "If I wanna cook yams and call em sweet potatoes then I can , because it is my house and my kitchen."It seems that she was free to be and express herself without intent to offend , but if an offence did occur, she would not discontinue her delivery of the message. I admired that. I wondered if this was just her written material and not her actual character. I had the honor of meeting her on a couple of occasions. I was not disappointed with her presence. Ms. Giovanni was consistent with her written word. This in my opinion, was functioning above and beyond, because so many people live inconsistent and double lives. I thought I would share one of her poems with you. Maybe if you like, you can share one of your favorite poetic selections. Until then enjoy.

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 is 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

though always understanding

parallel movement

isn't lateral

when i can't express

what i really feel i pratice feeling

what i can express

and none of it is equal

i know

but that's why mankind

alone among the mammals

learns to cry

Respect