With pen in hand I write these words

                The words I wish to speak

 

I fear the judgment of the world

                The world that seems so bleak

 

I cannot change the way I am

I cannot change the nature of man

 

I cannot change the way of things

I cannot change my arms to wings

 

I cannot change the colors’ names

I cannot change the rules of games

 

                But there are things that I can change

 

I can change myself; my feelings

Or the color painted on my ceiling

 

I can change what I wear today

Perhaps tomorrow or the next day

I’ll wear a shirt that reads “Hip-HIP HOORAY!”

 

Because I am the one who decides who I am

I’m the one shouting “I am who I am!”

 

So, yes, I can change. I can change lots of things!

I may not change you and I may not grow wings

 

                But things CAN change, and they frequently do

 

And so looking back, you realize now

I could have changed some of those things anyhow…

                But then…

                                Where’s the fun in changing the past?

                                Why don’t we look forward?