I sing because I must, not because I can
For if one is given one single gift in this desolate world, surely they would be a fool not to embrace it

I write because I must, not because I can
For I am without doubt that if not written upon a page these words would swarm my mind and I would never rest

I become educated because I must, not because I can
For no one if not I will teach a child that loving themselves is of higher importance than a test score or a sport scholarship

I live because I must, not because I can
For at these moments of my darkest despair I know there is someone out there who needs help that only I can give, and if I take away the spark of my life their fire very well may die and then the life I so undeservedly live will have been more worthless than it inherently was