Famous Inspirational Poem

When we want something, we must be willing to fight for it. We must put in the necessary work and make sacrifices to achieve our goals. Berton Braley (1882-1966) was an American poet who completed high school in only two years.

Featured Shared Story

I like how I became motivated to proceed with caution concerning my worldly desire. I do not want my faith and hope to be misplaced. When my will is invoked by deep feelings of want for...

Read complete story

Share your story! (1)

Famous Poem

The Will To Win

By Berton Braley more Berton Braley

If you want a thing bad enough
To go out and fight for it,
Work day and night for it,
Give up your time and your peace and
your sleep for it

If only desire of it
Makes you quite mad enough
Never to tire of it,
Makes you hold all other things tawdry
and cheap for it

If life seems all empty and useless without it
And all that you scheme and you dream is about it,

If gladly you'll sweat for it,
Fret for it, Plan for it,
Lose all your terror of God or man for it,

If you'll simply go after that thing that you want.
With all your capacity,
Strength and sagacity,
Faith, hope and confidence, stern pertinacity,

If neither cold poverty, famished and gaunt,
Nor sickness nor pain
Of body or brain
Can turn you away from the thing that you want,

If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it,
You'll get it!

more Berton Braley

Stories 1
Shares 2917
Favorited 15
Votes 251
Rating 4.43

Read More Famous Inspirational Poems

Has this poem touched you? Share your story!

by Virginia N. Pritts
3 years ago

I like how I became motivated to proceed with caution concerning my worldly desire. I do not want my faith and hope to be misplaced. When my will is invoked by deep feelings of want for something or for it to happen, I desire, drive and seek to obtain it. However, I will question my desire to possess it for its worldly worth will but all consume me. The taste of the bittersweet of the pursuit will lead me to further inquiries of what really did I gain if I achieve it? I am to focus on faith and hope, which is placed in God that being contrary to being terrified of him. To me it will be like the win of the battle and losing the war. Therefore, a worldly it, whatever it may be, will be placed at the ranking of second best. The treasures of the it, will simply come along with my will to thrive to serve. Like that of a gifted artist who loves his or her craft.