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 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 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