PREFERENCES
 God has nerved my arm with strength and skill;
     And I must toil
To subjugate each circumstance to life;
Or I shall sag
Into the soddenness of nerveless death.
Let me toil!
God has placed within my hand a sword;
And I must fight
The ghastly foes of honor, love and life;
Or I shall yield
As traitors yield and die as cowards die.
Let me fight!
God has set within my heart a flame:
And I must love
My fellowman through anguish, fear or pain;
Or I shall feel
The blight of selfness chill my soul within.
Let me love!
God has given my restless spirit wings:
And I must soar
Into the spreading blueness of the sky;
Or I shall sink
Into the soggy, choking mire below.
Let me soar!
God has breathed in me the breath of song:
And I must sing
Into the ever-dawning day of life;
Or I shall sob
Into the stillness of an endless night.
Let me sing!
–From Singing Sands and Silver Sea
by Kodaya(Osbert Wrightman Warmingham), ©1945