What do I know br What can I know br What fine lessons br What has been taught br br I know the pain- br bitter, burning br as it poisons br my very soul br br Oh, humiliation- br now, that is a large word br with a larger effect br shame, heaped upon oneself br br I know despair- br hopeless, wanting br needing, dying br from inside out br br Now the degradation- br there is yet another br treated like you are less br and worse, feeling like less br br How I know suffering br and much mental anguish br it's intolerable br death would be a release br br What it is like br to be haunted br by memories br regret, sorrow br br Then survival- br insufficient br an existence br does not mean life br br I know wondrous hope- br giving me reason br to continue on br with this thing called life br br Determination- br there is a big word br the will, and desire br to fight and strive- live br br What about the joy- br of simply being br you and that is all br and that is enough br br Then there is love, sweet love- br the biggest word of all br giving hope, and freedom br it is beautiful br br What do I know br What can I know br What fine lessons br What has been taught br br Without the bad br we would never br APPRECIATE br what good we havebr br Angela Davisbr br