• My life

    I have a life I can’t escape,
    A life that’s mine to mold and shape,
    Some things I lack of strength and skill,
    I blunder much and fumble; still,
    I can in my own way design
    What is to be this life of mine?

    It IS not mine to say how much
    Of gold and silver I shall clutch,
    What heights of glory I shall climb,
    What splendid deeds achieve in time;
    Lacking the genius of the great
    The lesser tasks may be my fate.

    But I can say what I shall be,
    What in my life the world shall see;
    Can mold my thoughts and actions here
    To what is fine or what is drear.
    Though small my skin, I can elect
    To keep or lose my self-respect.

    No man can kindlier be than I,
    No man can more detest a lie,
    I can be just as clean as true
    As any gifted genius, who
    Rises to earthy heights of fame
    And wins at last the world’s acclaim.

    I can be friendly, blithe of heart,
    Can build or tear my life apart,
    Can happy-natured smile along
    And shrug my shoulders at wrong.
    I only choose what is to be
    This life which symbolizes me.