<P>Balances<BR> </P>
<P>in life<BR>one is always<BR>balancing</P>
<P><BR>like we juggle our mothers<BR>against our fathers</P>
<P><BR>or one teacher<BR>against another<BR>(only to balance our grade average) </P>
<P><BR>3 grains of salt<BR>to one ounce truth</P>
<P><BR>our sweet black essence<BR>or the funky honkies down the street</P>
<P><BR>and lately i've begun wondering<BR>if you're trying to tell me something</P>
<P><BR>we used to talk all night<BR>and do things alone together</P>
<P><BR>and i've begun</P>
<P><BR>(as a reaction to a feeling) <BR>to balance<BR>the pleasure of loneliness<BR>against the pain<BR>of loving you </P>
<P>Nikki Giovanni </P>