I CAN

I Can do what my mind tells me to.

I Can, so Can you.

I Can streak like a Rocket through the Sky.

I Can plunge to the Earth and die.

I Can run and win any Race,

From Inner Self to Outer Space.

All I want you to understand

Is that my Country and my Heritage spell “I CAN!”

I Can try, and I Can cry;

I Can lead, and I Can succeed.

I Can trail, and I Can fail.

I Can fight, and I Can Unite;

I Can adopt, and I Can Stop.

I Cannot hide, nor Can Apartheid!

                   I Can write and incite.

I Can bleed for my Country’s Creed.

I Can defend, and I Can pretend.

I Can hate, yet, I Can adjudicate!

I Can give, but I Can also live.

I Can contrive, and oh yeah, “I Can survive!”

I Can do this, and I Can do that.

All I need is a Turn at Bat.

I speak of my Abilities not by Chance.

Nor  is it your Opinion of me that I seek to Enhance!

“The last four letters of my Heritage and my Creed spell “I CAN!”

I Can do Anything as well as “Everyman!”

“I CAN! I CAN! I CAN!”

          YOU DAMN RIGHT “I CAN!”   

This poem was copyright in The 1987 Black History Calendar.  "I Can" and "African American"  are trademarks of The Black History Calendar. All rights are reserved.