"What You've Got" by Eddi Reader

I've long since forgotten the majesty of poetry.

Perhaps this will rekindle your love for it, as it has mine.


"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 laurel
grew twisted around itself
Till almost everything he did
brought 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
It's how much you can share
It's not the fights you dreamed of
It's those you really fought
It's not what you've been given
It's what you do with what you've got

What's the use of two strong legs
if you only run away?
And what's the use of the finest voice
If you have nothing good to say
What's the use of 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 neighbors
and those who use the cane
Between those in constant power
and those in constant pain
Between those who run to glory
and those who cannot run
Tell me which ones are the cripples
and which ones touch the sun
Which ones touch the sun
Which ones touch the sun"


You can watch a performance of it here.