If You Must Only Be Just One Thing Poem by D Loveday Morris

My Darling Daughter,
If You Must Only Be Just One Thing

If you must only be just one thing,
just be you.
Everything thing that you are-
known and unknown;
Life's certainties and uncertainties
are yours to own.
Every iota of thought,
Each dream in your heart;
The values and principles in life you've taken,
Are the emblems of a mind never to be mistaken.

So, I know you are questioning life,
as the uncertainties bombard you,
And my answer my darling-
choose to be just you.
And you will come to discover in time,
Who you are, will do just fine.
Make no mistake,
You are built to take on life's heavy weight.
The values and principles you received;
Are ethereal minded and with love interweaved.

If you must be just one thing,
just be you.
Our father in heaven,
laid that foundation too.
And is the example of that Himself;
He is God and there is none else
And if in a song I would chime in,
To be built on principles, is a beautiful thing.

Let your principles guide your heart;
Be just you from end to start.
Take from your repertoire,
And you'll see there is enough, in store.
That college course choice will be alright;
Choose it with all of you that's in sight
Whether engineering, science,
art or law school;
You are anything but a fool.
Whatever path you choose to take,
Your mind is built to accommodate.
And when it's time for university,
You'll come to see,
there is no need to worry.
Who you are, is the story.

Embrace your Joys and sorrows,
They are yours and none can borrow.
Each aspect, however minuscule,
Makes you impossible to be overrule
To be less than oneself is to be a tool.
Never gladly suffer fools.
For in time, you'll come to appreciate
Your life's journey, none can fake.
While others may walk on the road you take,
Never will it be with the heart and mind which you create.

If you must only be just one thing,
just be you,
You are oozing with validity;
Be perpetually you and do so openly.
Only you will authenticate,
When you stand at heaven's big black gates,
Be just you,
Life will never wait.

D. Loveday Morris

An Extract from the Diary of a Jamaican Critical Care Nurse Living and Working in the UK

Dedicate to my daughter Jaz Dyke