If ...

[TahitiNut]

"[font size=3]If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:

If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son! [/font]"

-- Rudyard Kipling

Most of us older DUers were required to learn this in grade school. I get the impression that it's no longer a part of the standard curriculum.

Given President Obama's mature demeanor and grace under pressure, it seemed to me to be an appropriate time to post this... if only as a reminder.

I like to think perhaps a young Barack Obama heard this poem from his grandfather, given that his father was absent. As someone old enough to be Obama's father, all I can say is

Obama ... is a man.

[NYC_SKP]

1. It's not to be found in today's curriculum.

It's gone the way of being taught to sing "This Land is Your Land".

A hearty K and R.

[RichGirl]

2. I love that poem...thanks for sharing.

[solara]

3. Excellent! Thank you for posting this

This wonderful poem certainly could have been written about our President.

In the 21st century it is sad to note that bluster and bullying are often perceived and even celebrated as the measure of a 'real' man. Truth is weighed against self righteous anger, clever innuendo and 'louder than thou' proselytizing and somehow is found less appealing, less valid. Somehow.


I hope all enterprising and thoughtful teachers resurrect this beautiful poem.

Thank you, again. I had forgotten about it.

[Melinda]

4. Indeed. Thank you for posting this, TNut. Happy to K&R.

[malaise]

5. One of my favorites to this day

although I'm not a Kipling fan

[TahitiNut]

7. Nor am I, with this being an exception.

It has always resonated with me, having grown up without a father present. My grandfather, however, emulated the values expressed in it and I admired him a great deal.

From the very beginning of my career, I stood out like a sore thumb because I didn't join the "dance of the headless chickens" when every minor workplace crisis erupted. I found that I became more focused and calm as the 'emergency' got larger. I'm quite familiar with the resentment of coworkers when they notice I don't join in their Falling Sky Dance. Even in Viet Nam, it was my "go to" attitude under fire ... even when I'd later discover a urine-soaked crotch. And every time ... the first two lines of "If" would echo in my skull.

When I got to know "no drama Obama" four years ago, I felt a connection immediately. We were both raised by single (white) mothers and were VERY loved by our grandparents.

[porphyrian]

6. . n/t