2ERA

 

 

IF you can lead a clique from the back of the pack

But be answered too as if you were always in front;

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can believe when even close friends are doubting,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not lose focus while you do,

Or, when people deal lies, ignore the false with truth

Or, being hated, withstand judgement with love,

And yet don’t boast in vein, nor talk too wise;

 

If you can dream while not creating fake idols,

If you can think while not making thoughts your direct;

If you can meet with achievement and tragedy,

And live as if you were comfortably familiar with both;

If you can talk the talk, and walk the walk

Bent by knaves after being condemned by fools,

Or watch as if the entire world was falling to bits,

Then stand, rise up, and walk with worn out shoes ;

 

If you cashed every check and emptied the bank,

Bet all you have on one game of dice,

And lost, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

Force the mind, body, and soul,

To play your turn long after the game has ended,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Voice which says to them: “Never give up!”

 

If you can walk within dirty crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings and queens nor lose touch with ordinary;

If you can no longer be hurt by friends or enemies,

If all men count with you, but non too much;

If you fill the moment with present moment awareness

Each minute with sixty seconds’ worth of a dash

Yours is the Earth and everything that is it in,

And, which is more, you’ll be rich my friend!