Don't Quit!

A recent whine on the Internet Writing Workshop list elicited a response that really brought me to my knees. One of my favorite poems appeared in my inbox as an answer to my 'why bother' feelings. Most writers experience those feelings of "Who am I kidding, I'm no writer," on a regular basis. It has been my turn for the past week or two.

Yet, the poem reminded me how close I could be to doing something meaningful -- if I just don't quit.

Another dear friend, years ago, gave me a mug with that poem on it. Another life when I worked as a secretary for a stable of law college faculty, he presented me with the mug and poem. He didn't realize how that urged me on. I need to unpack that mug and put it front and center on my desk so I can be reminded daily to "Don't Quit."

I can't begin to say it as well as the anonymous author of the poem. So, I'll just post the poem here:

Don't Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and 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 a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
Whe 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 -
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

-Unknown