Balances

Photo: Norah Head Ghost at Sunrise!!!! by maureen_g

in life

one is always

balancing

like we juggle our mothers 

against our fathers

or one teacher 

against another

(only to balance our grade average)

3 grains of salt 

to one ounce truth

our sweet black essence 

or the funky honkies down the street

and lately I've begun wondering 

if you're trying to tell me something

we used to talk all night 

and do things alone together

and I've begun

(as a reaction to a feeling) 

to balance

the pleasure of loneliness

against the pain

of loving you

~ Nikki Giovanni

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Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.

~ Thomas Merton