Be You.

There is this poem that is often thought to be by MLK Jr. But the truth is it is by a man named Douglas Malloch. MLK Jr. quoted this poem several times saying “if you can’t be a highway be a trail”. I love this poem for so many reasons. I remember reading this poem a really long time ago, or so it feelslike a long time ago, when I was young. It was in one of my grandmother, Grace’s, books. I love it because when I tried to be something that I am not I often think of this poem. It brings back all kinds of memories and it reminds me of my grandma Grace. The poem’s main purpose is to let you know it is okay to be yourself no matter the circumstance. The point is that you don’t have to be anything else as long as you are the best at whatever you are. We all serve a purpose and can’t forget that, no matter how big or small we feel. Tonight I will share it with you.

The poem is called:

 “Be the best at whatever you are”

If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley — but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

If you can’t be a bush be a bit of the grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you can’t be a muskie then just be a bass —
But the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be crew,
There’s something for all of us here,
There’s big work to do, and there’s lesser to do,
And the task you must do is the near.

If you can’t be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can’t be the sun be a star;
It isn’t by size that you win or you fail —
Be the best of whatever you are!