Poems: What do I know?

What do I know What can I know What fine lessons What has been taught I know the pain- bitter, burning as it poisons my very soul Oh, humiliation- now, that is a large word with a larger effect shame, heaped upon oneself I know despair- hopeless, wanting needing, dying from inside out Now the degradation- there is yet another treated like you are less and worse, feeling like less How I know suffering and much mental anguish it's intolerable death would be a release What it is like to be haunted by memories regret, sorrow Then survival- insufficient an existence does not mean life I know wondrous hope- giving me reason to continue on with this thing called life Determination- there is a big word the will, and desire to fight and strive- live What about the joy- of simply being you and that is all and that is enough Then there is love, sweet love- the biggest word of all giving hope, and freedom it is beautiful What do I know What can I know What fine lessons What has been taught Without the bad we would never APPRECIATE what good we have By: Angela Davis

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