--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I could come back as anything - I'd be…" description: "\"If I could come back as anything - I'd be a bird, first, but definitely the command key is my second choice.\" — Nikki Giovanni" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/nikki-giovanni-1757_bird_if-i-could-come-back-as-anything-i-d-be_2778965.png" --- # If I could come back as anything - I'd be a bird, first… ![“If I could come back as anything - I'd be a bird, first, but definitely the command key is my second choice.” quote by Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/nikki-giovanni-1757_bird_if-i-could-come-back-as-anything-i-d-be_2778965.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/nikki-giovanni-1757_bird_if-i-could-come-back-as-anything-i-d-be_2778965.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/nikki-giovanni-1757_bird_if-i-could-come-back-as-anything-i-d-be_2778965.png) > “If I could come back as anything - I'd be a bird, first, but definitely the command key is my second choice.” [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker humorously ranks desires, preferring to be a bird for freedom, then a computer key for control, highlighting yearning for both liberty and influence. **In simple terms:** Wants freedom like a bird, then control like a key. Key Takeaway Balance freedom with purposeful action. Themes creativity freedom control Mood playful thoughtful Type creative inspirational When to use this quote - writing - career choices - personal goals Key Concepts metaphor humor aspiration Questions to Reflect On - What freedoms do you seek? - How can you gain influence responsibly? A Different Perspective Humor may mask deeper anxieties. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) [Come Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/come-bird-3295941/) [Command](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/command/) [Command Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/command-key-3295939/) [Definitely Command](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definitely-command-3295938/) [If i could](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/if-i-could/) [Key Second](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/key-second-3295940/) [Second choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-choice/) ## Related quotes > [“Hard Times Music is silenced, the dark descending slowly Has stripped unending skies of all companions. Weariness grips your limbs and within the locked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/hard-times-music-is-silenced-the-dark-descending-slowly-has-stripped/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [I'm tired if being a second choice in your life, get your priorities straight and then come talk to me...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-tired-if-being-a-second-choice-in-your-life-get-your-priorities/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being a second choice? Ain't nobody got time for that!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-a-second-choice-ain-t-nobody-got-time-for-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is no worse feeling than the feeling of being a second choice to the people you always put first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-no-worse-feeling-than-the-feeling-of-being-a-second-choice/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I need a badboy not a friend I need alover and a man not a friend.I dont wanna be yur second choice boy I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ishajnek-overton/i-need-a-badboy-not-a-friend-i-need-alover-and-a-man-not-a-friend-i/) [Ishajnek Overton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ishajnek-overton/) > [I'm the ugly sister. I'm the horrible daughter. I'm not even the second choice. I'm the 'left-over.' I'm not the clever one. I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-the-ugly-sister-i-m-the-horrible-daughter-i-m-not-even-the-second/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That's literally been the story of my career. I'm always the second choice. And you know what? I'm more than happy to be that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bianca-kajlich/that-s-literally-been-the-story-of-my-career-i-m-always-the-second/) [Bianca Kajlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bianca-kajlich/) > [Ever wait for something you know might not ever happen, but you never give up because you know it's worth it, but after awhile…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junior-vargas/ever-wait-for-something-you-know-might-not-ever-happen-but-you-never/) [Junior Vargas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junior-vargas/) > [Men and Women dont settle for being a backup plan and definitely dont settle for being a second choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/men-and-women-dont-settle-for-being-a-backup-plan-and-definitely-dont/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It sucks always being someones second choice...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-sucks-always-being-someones-second-choice/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To experience playing with other big players, to be maybe a second choice. To face difficulty, a new language for his family. It's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-desailly/to-experience-playing-with-other-big-players-to-be-maybe-a-second/) [Marcel Desailly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-desailly/) > [I want you to love me and me only I don't want to be your second choice I want to be your first I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamika-leeigh/i-want-you-to-love-me-and-me-only-i-don-t-want-to-be-your-second/) [Tamika-leeigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamika-leeigh/) > [I put up with A LOT of shit, but two things I WILL NOT put up with is being lied to and being someones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-put-up-with-a-lot-of-shit-but-two-things-i-will-not-put-up-with-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im not good enough for my friends familys or boys…im a second choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbigail-russell/im-not-good-enough-for-my-friends-familys-or-boys-im-a-second-choice/) [Abbigail Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbigail-russell/) > [Being a second choice, I think not!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-a-second-choice-i-think-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Nikki Giovanni > [ I just think she was a wonderful woman. What I think of when I think of Nina \[Simone\] is someone that I could relate… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/i-just-think-she-was-a-wonderful-woman-what-i-think-of-when-i-think/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [It's really just interesting to ask: why not? And see where that takes me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/it-s-really-just-interesting-to-ask-why-not-and-see-where-that-takes/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [I am ever fascinated by the human experience and by, actually, human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/i-am-ever-fascinated-by-the-human-experience-and-by-actually-human/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [You do what you can with what you have. You have to work the edges whatever they are. The main thing is keeping your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/you-do-what-you-can-with-what-you-have-you-have-to-work-the-edges/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/mistakes-are-a-fact-of-life-it-is-the-response-to-the-error-that/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [I’ve not learned the acceptable way of saying you fascinate me...I’ve not even learned how to say I like you without frightening people away-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/i-ve-not-learned-the-acceptable-way-of-saying-you-fascinate-me-i-ve/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [ever been kidnapped by a poet if i were a poet i'd kidnap you put you in my phrases and meter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/ever-been-kidnapped-by-a-poet-if-i-were-a-poet-i-d-kidnap-you-put-you/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [We love because it's the only true adventure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/we-love-because-it-s-the-only-true-adventure/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [Young people coming up who are having difficulty with their so-called celebrity need to get back into their lives. It's your life and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/young-people-coming-up-who-are-having-difficulty-with-their-so-called/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [ \[To become a poet\] The most important thing is to pay attention. The next would probably be to read; it's so important to pay… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/to-become-a-poet-the-most-important-thing-is-to-pay-attention-the/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [daddy says the world is a drum tight and hard and i told him i’m gonna beat out my own rhythm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/daddy-says-the-world-is-a-drum-tight-and-hard-and-i-told-him-i-m/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [We eat up artists like there's going to be a famine at the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/we-eat-up-artists-like-there-s-going-to-be-a-famine-at-the-end/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [Life is a process where people mix and match, fall apart and come back together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/life-is-a-process-where-people-mix-and-match-fall-apart-and-come-back/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [The trip to Mars can only be understood through Black Americans. I say, the trip to Mars can only be understood through Black Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/the-trip-to-mars-can-only-be-understood-through-black-americans-i-say/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) > [War is not a jobs program.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/war-is-not-a-jobs-program/) [Nikki Giovanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) [Explore all 210 Nikki Giovanni quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/) ## More Bird quotes > [And I have been very blessed, having coached some of the greatest that have ever played the game. But if I had to start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-auerbach/and-i-have-been-very-blessed-having-coached-some-of-the-greatest-that/) [Red Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-auerbach/) > [Some minds corrode and grow inactive under the loss of personal liberty; others grow morbid and irritable; but it is the nature of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/some-minds-corrode-and-grow-inactive-under-the-loss-of-personal/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [Set the bird's wings with gold and it will never again soar in thesky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/set-the-bird-s-wings-with-gold-and-it-will-never-again-soar-in-thesky/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“He unfixes the metal notch and slips his hand around the body of the bird. Feels its heat, its small heart beating. He stares…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-schuyler/he-unfixes-the-metal-notch-and-slips-his-hand-around-the-body-of-the/) [Nina Schuyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-schuyler/) > [I would rather learn from one bird how to sing than to teach 10,000 stars how not to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-cummings/i-would-rather-learn-from-one-bird-how-to-sing-than-to-teach-10-000/) [e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) > [Surely, God could have caused birds to fly with their bones made of solid gold, with their veins full of quicksilver, with their flesh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/surely-god-could-have-caused-birds-to-fly-with-their-bones-made-of/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [And wheresoever, in his rich creation, Sweet music breathes--in wave, or bird, or soul-- 'Tis but the faint and far reverberation Of that great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/and-wheresoever-in-his-rich-creation-sweet-music-breathes-in-wave-or/) [Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/) > [A clock struck out the hour of twelve, and the bird in the hedgerow was still singing as we marched out to the roadway,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-macgill/a-clock-struck-out-the-hour-of-twelve-and-the-bird-in-the-hedgerow/) [Patrick MacGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-macgill/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Meanwhile, the trees were just as green as before; the birds sang and the sun shone as clearly now as ever. The familiar surroundings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/meanwhile-the-trees-were-just-as-green-as-before-the-birds-sang-and/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [When they started to drain a swamp where birds and fish had lived, for a new housing development down the road from his apartment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maile-meloy/when-they-started-to-drain-a-swamp-where-birds-and-fish-had-lived-for/) [Maile Meloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maile-meloy/) > [The bird with the thorn in its breast, it follows an immutable law; it is driven by it knows not what to impale itself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-mccullough/the-bird-with-the-thorn-in-its-breast-it-follows-an-immutable-law-it/) [Colleen McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-mccullough/) > [Real like sucks the life out of losers. if you want to fuck with the eagles, you must learn how to fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/real-like-sucks-the-life-out-of-losers-if-you-want-to-fuck-with-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If we studied birds ,maybe we could learn to be free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-alire-s-enz/if-we-studied-birds-maybe-we-could-learn-to-be-free/) [Benjamin Alire Sáenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-alire-s-enz/) [Browse all 4,802 Bird quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bird/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I could come back as anything - I'd be a bird, first, but definitely the command key is my second choice.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Nikki Giovanni" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/if-i-could-come-back-as-anything-i-d-be-a-bird-first-but-definitely/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bird" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/if-i-could-come-back-as-anything-i-d-be-a-bird-first-but-definitely/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/nikki-giovanni-1757_bird_if-i-could-come-back-as-anything-i-d-be_2778965.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/nikki-giovanni-1757_bird_if-i-could-come-back-as-anything-i-d-be_2778965.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d5/nikki-giovanni-1757_bird_if-i-could-come-back-as-anything-i-d-be_2778965.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If I could come back as anything - I'd be a bird, first, but definitely the command key is my second choice.” — Nikki Giovanni", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nikki Giovanni", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-giovanni/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If I could come back as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/if-i-could-come-back-as-anything-i-d-be-a-bird-first-but-definitely/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-giovanni/if-i-could-come-back-as-anything-i-d-be-a-bird-first-but-definitely/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```