What Can I Do

I never flew with a flock of birds, I cannot fly like a bird; Never did I fly. I never smelled sweet like the flowering bough, I cannot smell like the flower; Never did I smell sweet. I never loved a woman whom I did not chance to meet, I cannot love the woman; Never did I love. I never sang the song I did not chance to write, I cannot sing the song; Never did I sing. I never saw into the heart of hearts, I cannot see the heart; Never did I see. I never knew the Unknown whom I did not chance to know, I cannot know the Unknown; Never did I know. What then can I do? Only that which I cannot do! But then really... Will I ever come to fly, Or love a woman whom I did not chance to meet, And give voice to a song I never shall compose, Or have a true heart-to-heart communion when I cannot sneak a peek into the heart? And truly, Will I ever come to revere Someone I never shall know? ~"The Poet's Ache" contest by Greg Barden.