Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it is many a strong spirit broken,
And with it many a good purpose dies.
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning
And robs us of courage we need through the day:
It rings in our ears like a timely sent warning
And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.
Can’t is the father of feeble endeavor,
The parent of terror and halfhearted work;
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler and indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honest toiling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.
Can’t is a word none should speak without blushing;
To utter it should be a symbol of shame;
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
It blights a man’s purpose and shortens his aim.
Despise it with all of your hatred of error;
Refuse it the lodgment it seeks in your brain;
Arm against it as a creature of terror,
And all that you dream of someday shall gain.
Can’t is the word that is foe to ambition,
An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;
Its prey is forever the man with a mission
And bows but to courage and patience and skill.
Hate it, with hatred that’s deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed ’twill break any man;
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
And answer this demon by saying: “I can.”
I LOVE this! And this is a great line: mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man. I need to remember that "can't" is a mocker, and make it bow to courage and patience and skill.
Thanks, Cathy!
"And with it, many a good purpose dies…" is a favorite of mine, Susan. Thanks for sharing!
Great poem, Cathy. Just what I needed–not just today but every day. I'll have to come back to it on a regular basis.
Me too, Ellen! This poem will remain in my writing nook. 🙂
Love, Love, Love!!!!!!!!
Beth
"Can't never could," my daddy used to say…
What a gift you shared with us; your readers, Cathy. Thank you.
Today has been a busy yet productive day. I was werry and getting ready to drop into bed. But when I saw your name in the email list, I knew a blessing would be send by you. I was not disappointed.
The line that captured me was,
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision.
Now, I'll lay down with a prayer for the Lord to show me what can be done in the details to make the vision He has given become a reality.
Thanks for today's gift,Cathy.
Give on!
Vonda, that saying brings back memories. 🙂 Thanks for sharing everyone! The Lord used the poet's words to encourage many today. To God be the glory!