Famous Inspirational Poem

Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959) published more than twenty volumes of poetry and over 11,000 poems. His first published poem and many more were published in the Detroit Free Press where he was a columnist. He later had both popular radio and television shows. Guest has been called "the poet of the people." Of his poems he said, "I take simple everyday things that happen to me and I figure it happens to a lot of other people and I make simple rhymes out of them."

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Yes, I too memorized this poem, probably over 70 years ago since I am now 85. I was looking it up today to be sure I was quoting it accurately in an e-mail to my son, bragging about...

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Famous Poem

It Couldn't Be Done

Edgar A. Guest By more Edgar A. Guest

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
      But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one
      Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
      On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
      That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you’ll never do that;
      At least no one ever has done it;"
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
      And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
      Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
      That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
      There are thousands to prophesy failure,
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
      The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
      Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
      That "cannot be done," and you'll do it.

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Melissa Rosler by Melissa Rosler
  • 6 months ago

I, too, memorized this poem about 25-30 years ago. I remember reciting it over and over with my mom helping me. Years later, my mom and I would hear someone say,"I can't do that," and we would look at each other and both start quoting it. It was our little inspirational in-joke.

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  • Irene Pollands Hall by Irene Pollands Hall
  • 8 months ago

Yes, I too memorized this poem, probably over 70 years ago since I am now 85. I was looking it up today to be sure I was quoting it accurately in an e-mail to my son, bragging about something I had just succeeded in finishing. As a child I attended the Edgar A. Guest elementary school in Detroit, Michigan and I remember him speaking to us at one assembly. Unfortunately I can't claim to remember anything he said!

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  • GDHawk by GDHawk
  • 3 years ago

My father recited this poem to me many times when I was a child, rest his beautiful soul. Years later, at age of 58, I am still truly inspired and have finally completed my Bachelor's Degree in English! I will pass this inspirational poem on to my children and grandchildren.

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  • Gene Greeson by Gene Greeson
  • 3 years ago

I memorized this poem more than 30 years ago and though I'm now 72, I still find myself quoting it often. In fact, I quote it almost every time I find myself engaged in an extremely difficult activity and am tempted to quit. There have been many times when I might have quit, were it not for this poem. It has indeed not only given me the strength to endure but also the youthful attitude to enjoy doing so.

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  • Lar B. Burn by Lar B. Burn
  • 5 years ago

This poem shows defiance and bravery - two things we all cannot be without.

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  • James Tumaini by James Tumaini
  • 6 years ago

The poems are fantastic. They contain inspiring and morale building words, which have really changed my mentality about life and all it entails!

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  • James Keletso Chachu by James Keletso Chachu
  • 6 years ago

The poem is so down to earth that it opened my heart and mind. Nothing is impossible.

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