What If!
What if nobody sees what you do?
what if nobody knows how you feel?
what if nobody cares that you care?
what if nobody does what you do?
what if nobody reads what you write?
what if nobody thinks the way you do?
will you still be who you are?
as the robin flies toward the tree
as the sea embraces to the beach
as the eagle reaches toward the sky
as the child clings to their mother
as the lover seeks to near their love
as the soul seeks a place of peace
satisfaction comes with completion.
What if they don't understand
what if they refuse to listen
what if they deny your truths
what if they ignore your cries
what if they continue to hurt you
what if they never will be your friend
will you still be who you are?
as the stars light up the sky
as the mountains makes valleys low
as the quest for truth needs no justification
as the fight for justice searches ever forward
as the hope of freedom lightens life's burden's
as the sight of love replenishes the spirit
seeking one's destiny feeds the soul.
What if the dreams appear as nightmares
what if your friends desert you
what if the way seems dark
what if your path seems unclear
what if the promises seem to vanish
what if your determination appear to falter
will you still be able to go on?
as the sun continues to rise
as the life continues to come forth
as the love continues to come forward
as the hope continues to arrive
as the wonder continues to shine
as the poet continues to rhyme
being who true produces its own peace.
when the days seem to come together
when the clouds seem to stay for days
when the troubles seem to consume your all
when the tunnels seem to be endless
when the choices seem to be very slim
when the times seem to be so shaky
then remember who you really are.
The questions will sometimes distract you
the answers will always remind you
the reasons will sometimes elude you
the wisdom will always be there
the understanding will sometimes hurt you
the faith will always comfort you
when you seek pleasure in truth and perfection.
So....
What if nobody sees what you do?
what if nobody knows how you feel?
what if nobody cares that you care?
what if nobody does what you do?
what if nobody reads what you write?
what if nobody thinks the way you do?
will you still be who you are?
*Note: Rodney D. Coates is professor of Sociology, gerontology and
Black World Studies at Miami University of Ohio. He can be reached
at coatesrd@muohio.edu.
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