What You Do With What You've Got

You must know someone like him

He was tall and strong and lean

With a body like a greyhound

And a mind so sharp and keen

But his heart, just like a laurel,

Grew twisted round itself

Till almost every thing he did

Caused pain to someone else

It's not just what you're born with

It's what you choose to bear

It's not how big your share is

But how much you can share

And it's not the fights you dreamed of

But those you really fought

It's not what you've been given

It's what you do with what you've got

Now what's the good of two strong legs

If you only run away?

And what use is the finest voice

If you've nothing good to say?

And what good is strength and muscle

If you only push and shove?

And what's the use of two good ears

If you can't hear those you love?

Between those who use their neighbours

And those who use a cane

Between those in constant power

And those in constant pain

Between those who run to evil

And those who cannot run

Tell me which ones are the cripples

And which ones touch the sun?