I did not choose my day of birth
I did not choose my name
I did not choose my start on Earth
I did not choose my brain

I did not choose my faith or face
I did not choose my schools
I did not choose my human race
I did not choose the rules

I cannot choose the sunshine days
I cannot choose the storm
I cannot choose the people’s ways
I cannot choose the norm

But somewhere in the in-between
From first to final gasp
My destiny of how I’m seen
is held within my grasp

So I will choose: Escape the chains
So I will choose: Be free
So I will choose: Erase the stains
So I will choose: New Me

I’ll choose each day not I but We
I’ll choose and chase the choice
I’ll choose my path and what I’ll be
I’ll choose to hear my voice

Mark Bird

(Written for National Poetry Day 2021. Theme: Choice.