If You... Poem by priscah Mutswenje

If you always do what you have to
Then you will always have more than two
In the tasks you do and the words you share
If you would only work in class as a pair.

And if you are the best
That was only your beginning of test
From your hopes and determination
From your calls and aspiration,
It gave it my best
And that is who I am


I can jump higher and touch the sky
Only if you help me do it, teacher
I can run and run and run thrice the race
Only if you help me do it, teacher

I can sit and think and try
When things are not working for me
And I can ask for direction instead of cry
When I am stuck when the solution I can't see

I have no doubt, not everything is easy
Just like not everything is difficult
I can ask a peer to show me the way
When the teacher is far away

I can, yes I can, I know I can
I think I can
Whichever way, I can