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I discovered Nikki Giovanni in my freshman year at St. John’s. She opened my eyes further to the reality that surrounded me at that time and inspired me to interpret and understand it better. One of my favorite poems of hers appeared in her book, Love Poems. Take a moment and soak in Balances.

Balances

in life
one is always
balancing

like we juggle our mothers
against our fathers

or one teacher
against another
(only to balance our grade average)

3 grains of salt
to one ounce truth

our sweet black essence
or the funky honkies down the street

and lately i’ve begun wondering
if you’re trying to tell me something

we used to talk all night
and do things alone together

and i’ve begun

(as a reaction to a feeling)
to balance
the pleasure of loneliness
against the pain
of loving you