LINES FOR DOUBTERS

I write these lines for doubting men:
Of self-timidity beware.
One never knows the moment when
A flash of pluck will banish care.
Hold fast and give no heed to fear;
Battle the stream until you sink;
Failure is never quite near
As frightened people seem to think.

If now disaster sweeps away
The little grain you thought to hold,
While still in health and strength you stay
Your history's only partly told
There still are left new goals to gain;
'Tis only those who cease to strive
For whom no future hopes remain.
Don't die while you are yet alive.

Grieve if you must a little while
O'er what has happened, but return
Head high and brave and with a smile
The lesson of your loss to learn
Forget the past and face today
With courage and with mind alert.
Who comes a victor from the fray
Remembers not that he was hurt.

Before you lies another year
And somewhere is your chance to win.
(Edgar A. Guest)