I first discovered this poem in college. Don’t Quit is an inspiring poem written by British-born, American writer Edgar A. Guest. The theme of this poem is focused on determination, courage, and perseverance, all attributes that we need to instill in our lives . Don’t give up. Don’t quit.

Guest wrote another poem, “It Couldn’t Be Done”, which I’ll probably feature here in another post.

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When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low but the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit…
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit!

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many failures turn about
When we might have won had we stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow…
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out…
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far.
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

Photo by jules a.

I chose this particular poem for it’s overwhelming encouragement to uplift and inspire. The latin definition of this poem means unconquerable or unconquered. The reader of this poem should not give up in life, for life has it’s challenges. I love reading this poem as it reminds me to continue to endure to the end and to be bold and strong in life. Strive to make the best no matter what difficult adversities may come our way.

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Out of the night that covers me,
      Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
      For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
      I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
      Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
      Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
      How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
      I am the captain of my soul.

PoetryFoundation.org

Photo by Jen Theodore

This is one of my favorite poems from Longfellow. It is a truly classical reading that has endured through time. Every time I read it, I feel more hopeful, grateful, and at peace.

This beautiful season reminds us of life’s richest blessings – family, friends, and loved ones who fill our hearts with warmth and affection. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and that your home be filled with love and blessings you so richly deserve.

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I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
    And wild and sweet
    The words repeat 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
    Had rolled along
    The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
    A voice, a chime,
    A chant sublime 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
    And with the sound 
    The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men! 

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
    And made forlorn
    The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
    “For hate is strong,
    And mocks the song 
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
    The Wrong shall fail,
    The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Photo by Andrew Seaman