"I know why the caged bird sings ...."

“I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,

   When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,--

When he beats his bars and he would be free;

It is not a carol of joy or glee,

   But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core,

But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings--

I know why the caged bird sings!”

"If wrinkles must be written upon our brows ...."

“If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart.  The spirit should never grow old.”

"Grace is always present ...."

“Grace is always present, and there comes a time when you really must be conscious of that presence and turn your face to it.  Otherwise, you’re just walking blindly through life.”

"Actually there's only a slight difference ...."

“Actually there’s only a slight difference between keeping your chin up and sticking your neck out, but it’s worth knowing.”

"We do not know each other yet ...."

 

 “We do not know each other yet ... We have not yet dared to be silent together.”

"Some flowers are bruised that ...."

"Some flowers are bruised that they maybe more sweet,

And some lie broken ‘neath the rush of feet;

And some are worn awhile, then tossed aside;

Some grace the dead, while others deck the bride.

And so in life I’ve seen the saddest face,

The broken flower, give forth the sweetest grace."

"If one only wished to be happy, ...."

"If one only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish to be happier than other people, and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than they are."