Courage Poems

Poems about Strength

What is courage? What defines a courageous act? It is said that the brave and cowardly person are both fearful. However, it is the brave one who faces his fear and does what needs to be done. We will be faced with many things that scare us throughout our lives. How can we become the kind of people that face our fear and do it anyway? Human growth takes place when we take small steps. Each time we face our fears we become more of the courageous person that we would like to be.

56 Bravery Poems

1. Still I Rise
- By Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou is one of the most celebrated American Poets of our time. Born in 1928, her life has spanned much of the African American struggle for racial equality. She was a confidant of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In this poem about African American Courage, Angelou embodies the power, courage and tenacity of the African American experience.

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may tread me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
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2. Keep Going
- By Edgar Guest
Edgar Guest (1881-1959) was a prolific American poet – publishing a poem every day in the Detroit Free Press for 30 years. Known as the People’s Poet, Edgar Guest wrote easy-to-read poems about many relatable topics. He wrote encouraging life messages about topics such as family and work. This particular poem encourages readers not to give up when they are faced with challenges. Even when things are not going well, keep pushing on. You never know how close you are to success and making it to the other side.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must—but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow—
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.
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3. Invictus
- By William Ernest Henley
We are the master of our destiny. We are responsible for our own happiness. This famous inspirational poem charges us to accept responsibility for our lives no matter our circumstances. Invictus in Latin means unconquered.
William Ernest Henley (1849-1903), an English Poet, had one of his legs amputated at the age of 17. The poem, which he wrote while healing from the amputation, is a testimony to his refusal to let his handicap disrupt his life. Indeed, he led a meaningful life as a poet and editor until he passed away at age 53.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
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4. See It Through
- By Edgar Guest
Many of the poems by Edgar Guest (1881-1959) are encouraging and share important life lessons. In this poem, he shares powerful advice about standing strong in the face of trials and dark days. The poetic technique of repetition is used at the end of each stanza with the line, “See it through.” That brings the reader's attention to the themes of courage and perseverance.

When you’re up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.

When you’re up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it’s vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!

Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don’t let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you’re beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don’t give up, whate’er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!
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5. It Couldn't Be Done
- By Edgar Guest
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."

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.

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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6. Sympathy
- By Paul Laurence Dunbar
Paul Laurence Dunbar worked at the Library of Congress for slightly over a year from September 1897-December 1898. He was the first poet to give a poetry reading at the Library of Congress. During his time working there, he was inspired to write “Sympathy,” which was published the following year in a poetry collection. Paul Laurence Dunbar suffered from tuberculosis. Dealing with the dust of books in a hot and confined space negatively impacted his health. It made him feel like a bird stuck in a cage, calling out to be free to enjoy the wind, the grass, and the river. However, “Sympathy” also has a deeper symbolism of the oppression of African American people. Maya Angelou used the last line of this poem as the title of her bestselling autobiography.

I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;

I know what the caged bird feels, alas!
When the sun is bright on the upland slopes;
When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass,
And the river flows like a stream of glass;
When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,
And the faint perfume from its chalice steals—
I know what the caged bird feels!

I know why the caged bird beats his wing
Till its blood is red on the cruel bars;
For he must fly back to his perch and cling
When he fain would be on the bough a-swing;
And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars
And they pulse again with a keener sting—
I know why he beats his wing!

I know why the caged bird sings, ah me,
When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore,—
When he beats his bars and he would be free;
It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core,
But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings—
I know why the caged bird sings!
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7. Defeat
- By Kahlil Gibran
Defeat, my Defeat, my solitude and my aloofness;
You are dearer to me than a thousand triumphs,
And sweeter to my heart than all world-glory.

Defeat, my Defeat, my solitude and my aloofness;
You are dearer to me than a thousand triumphs,
And sweeter to my heart than all world-glory.

Defeat, my Defeat, my self-knowledge and my defiance,
Through you I know that I am yet young and swift of foot
And not to be trapped by withering laurels.
And in you I have found aloneness
And the joy of being shunned and scorned.

Defeat, my Defeat, my shining sword and shield,
In your eyes I have read
That to be enthroned is to be enslaved,
And to be understood is to be leveled down,
And to be grasped is but to reach one’s fullness
And like a ripe fruit to fall and be consumed.

Defeat, my Defeat, my bold companion,
You shall hear my songs and my cries and my silences,
And none but you shall speak to me of the beating of wings,
And urging of seas,
And of mountains that burn in the night,
And you alone shall climb my steep and rocky soul.

Defeat, my Defeat, my deathless courage,
You and I shall laugh together with the storm,
And together we shall dig graves for all that die in us,
And we shall stand in the sun with a will,
And we shall be dangerous.
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8. The Monster
- By Olivia M Likens
- Published by Family Friend Poems September 2018
I have struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember. In April of this past year (2018) I landed myself in the psych ward after giving myself third degree burns. This poem explains some of my story--where I've been, the paths I've walked, and the new life I've stumbled upon.

Poem About Fighting Through Anxiety

Dear Anxiety,

When they ask me what I am afraid of,
I lie.

Dear Anxiety,

When they ask me what I am afraid of,
I lie.

I can never expose you,
never tell the truth about you
for fear of speaking you into existence.
You are my punisher and my captor,
my tormentor, my torturer.
You are the little voice inside of my head
telling me bad, bad things to do to myself,
things I can't talk about
for fear I'll forget who I am and turn into you.

You tell me we are one and the same, but I am not you.
I would never hurt a child the way you have hurt me.
I would never tell a young girl she is unlovable,
or fat,
or ugly,
or crazy,
or worthless.

I would never tell her to carve ugly, terrible words into her body,
to hold a flame to her skin,
until she has burned herself so badly that the pain goes out like a light
and her nerves are dead,
just like she should be.

I don't know why I listen to you
when you force me to my knees in front of the toilet.
When you send me running around the house in a panic,
searching in vain for a pencil sharpener I haven't already dismantled.
When you tell me the closest to love
I will ever come is sending naked pictures of myself
to disgusting hunters of young prey.

But I am not afraid of them.
I am afraid of the shadows of my mind
of the twisted and warped reality I am living in.

And I scream, because it is all in my head.
I scream because none of it is real.
I scream because you are clawing your way up my throat,
stealing my voice, gouging out my eyes, eating away at the lining of my stomach,
turning my bones to jello and my hair to dust,
destroying, destroying, destroying, destroying, destroying, destroying.

ENOUGH.

I have had ENOUGH. I am not you.
I never was.
I never will be.
This is only a body, and you are only a feeling, and I will rise above.

I am above this, above you, above my thoughts, above it all.
And I will survive.
And I will love me.
And I will not let go.

Sincerely,
Olivia
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9. Inner Strength
- By John P. Read
- Published by Family Friend Poems September 2019
Like a teacher, I believe God sets us many tests in life to prove how strong we really are. We wonder where he is when times are tough, but as we know, a teacher always stays quiet during a test.

The Trials Of Life

It's only through mistakes we make
We learn where we went wrong.
It's only when we're far from home
We realize where we belong.

It's only through mistakes we make
We learn where we went wrong.
It's only when we're far from home
We realize where we belong.

It's only when we close our eyes
Our dreams seem clear and bright.
It's only in our darkest hours
We truly see the light.

It's only when we lose our way
We pray to the stars above.
It's only through times of grief
We learn the true meaning of love.

It's only when all hope seems lost
And our weary journey seems so far,
When all the world's against you,
We learn how strong we really are.

All things are sent to try us.
We must strive and give our best.
I believe God is watching over us,
And he guides us in our quest.
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10. A Wing And A Prayer
- By Michelle Butler
- Published by Family Friend Poems July 2013
This is for my cousin Linda Pugliese, for strength and support through her battle with cancer. It also served to put some things in perspective and get me off the pity pot I was on after a split off a 20 plus year marriage.

Inspirational Poetry For Cancer Patients

Under the wing of an angel, we feel protected.
Through prayers to God, we feel connected.

Peace is said to be offered on the wings of a dove.

Under the wing of an angel, we feel protected.
Through prayers to God, we feel connected.

Peace is said to be offered on the wings of a dove.
Prayers can bring peace along with hope, faith, and love.

Wings of a jet plane provide a steady flight.
I pray you remain steady and strong through this fight.

Butterflies have wings to fly playfully free,
And free from this monster is what I pray you'll soon be.

Birds spread their wings as they may leave their nest.
We're spreading our prayers that you'll always be blessed.

Go fight and win this battle you didn't start.
On the wings of an angel and prayers from my heart.
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11. Praise With Grace
- By Rabab N. Hammoud
- Published by Family Friend Poems September 2016
This poem is about making it through tough times and trials with a positive outlook. It is the ultimate result that determines who you are.

The Race Of Life

When all the doors shut in your face,
Have faith and continue to praise.

When you can't bear the thought of yesterday and dread tomorrow,

When all the doors shut in your face,
Have faith and continue to praise.

When you can't bear the thought of yesterday and dread tomorrow,
Carry on with grace.

If you're the last one running,
Don't look back or slow your pace.

Keep moving forward,
Disregard the pain and aches.

Life is difficult,
With many demons to chase.

Make them your accomplice
If that's what you need to win the race.

The world has become a bitter place.
Don't become disgraced.

When life pushes you face down,
Rise up and pray.

The judge is upstairs keeping track
Of what you're carrying on your slate.

Live life in peace
And consume no hate.

So when you get to where you're going,
It will be worth your wait.
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12. My Dear Child
- By Betty Miller
- Published by Family Friend Poems April 2010
This is to my adopoted son and daughter whom are such a big part of my life

Your Strength Will Guide You

If I could, I would remove all your fears
If I could, I would remove all your tears
If I could, I would make life painless
If I could, I would give you all your courage

If I could, I would remove all your fears
If I could, I would remove all your tears
If I could, I would make life painless
If I could, I would give you all your courage

Like a deck of cards; you must learn to deal with life as it is dealt
You must hold your chin up and walk tall
Let no one ever force you to be shorter than you really are
Stand tall, stand strong, and your strength will guide you

If I could, I would remove all your fears
If I could, I would remove all your tears
If I could, I would make life painless
If I could, I would give you all your courage

I will always be by your side even if you can't see me
I will always be in your heart, even if you can't feel me
Listen in the wind and you will hear my whispers and feel my hand
Stand tall, stand strong, and your strength will guide you

If I could, I would remove all your fears
If I could, I would remove all your tears
If I could, I would make life painless
If I could, I would give you all your courage

My child, you are a very big part of me
I feel when you are sad, I hurt when you are hurt, and smile when you smile
As years move on and so will you
Remember my love, stand tall, stand strong, and your strength will guide you
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13. Sometimes Life Is Hard
- By Kristin
- Published by Family Friend Poems February 2008
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.

Sometimes we see things that aren't meant to be seen.
Sometimes things aren't always as they seem.
Sometimes we need someone to call our own,
Especially when we're alone.

Sometimes we see things that aren't meant to be seen.
Sometimes things aren't always as they seem.
Sometimes we need someone to call our own,
Especially when we're alone.
Sometimes people just can't understand
Why things get out of hand.
Sometimes life just isn't fair,
Especially when people just don't care.
And sometimes it's hard to say
Why things have to be this way.
Sometimes it's all you can do to get by,
Especially when dreams continue to die.
Sometimes it's nice to sit in the rain,
Even to just relieve the pain.
And when we've had a really bad day,
Sometimes we just need to get away.
We never know what's wrong without pain.
Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.

And sometimes when people get hurt,
Even the strongest ones may need comfort.
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14. Heart Over Matter
- By Din Kriegsman
- Published by Family Friend Poems August 2016
To me, this poem brings about those moments when you know what is the right thing for you to do and you know what you truly want. Deep within your heart you can feel it, but sometimes your mind and your logic overtake you and you end up not going for it, and sometimes you even regret it.

Poem About Life's Internal Dilemmas

When your heart suddenly feels
light, excited, at ease.
When you feel like your heart just knows what to do
and your worries are far from your mind as are you.

When your heart suddenly feels
light, excited, at ease.
When you feel like your heart just knows what to do
and your worries are far from your mind as are you.

You know that your mind will start chasing,
racing to hold down your heart.
After all, it is there to protect it,
ever from breaking apart.

But in order to keep your heart happy,
like a child, you must soften your hold.
You must let it run free for a while,
follow and see what unfolds.

Your heart is stronger than what you would think
and recovers at much greater speed,
so please just try, every once in a while,
to give it the freedom it needs.

Believe in your heart and embrace it,
and give it all that you've got.
Because whether it turns for the best or the worse,
you'll be happy more often than not.
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15. If You Stand For Nothing You Will Fall For Anything
- By Lydia Preston
- Published by Family Friend Poems December 2018
As a person, I believe in standing up for what I believe in no matter what the cost may be. Experience has taught me that it is a rare quality, one not easily found in people today. Many believe in something but soon relent as they start to buckle under its weight. This poem is the result of a lesson I've leaned over time. That lesson being, if you believe in something with all your heart, you must be prepared to stand alone.

Standing Up For What You Believe

A time has come
and it is now.
Will you take a stand
or bend your knee and bow?

A time has come
and it is now.
Will you take a stand
or bend your knee and bow?

Will you state your case?
Will you run this race
or turn in disgrace,
try to hide your face?

You've spoken the word,
and by many were heard.
Now what will you do
when it's left up to you?

Will you act out your faith
in the midst of a trial?
Will you do what is right?
Will you put up a fight?

When you're put at a cross-road,
what choice will you make?
Will you stand for the truth
for the Lord's name sake?

Do what is right;
try not to lose sight.
make the right decision
amidst all the derision.

For when you've done all to stand,
take a hold of God's hand.
he will lead you and guide you,
staying right there beside you.

Don't try to please man
doing all that you can.
make time for the Lord;
you will reap a reward.

Be a blessing to others;
help your sisters and brothers.
Care for those in need.
Help multiply their seed.

Be gracious and faithful.
Be fair and be true,
looking not unto others.
Let the change come through you.
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16. A Different Kind Of Hero
- By Heather Griffith
- Published by Family Friend Poems December 2008
For my mother, Marianne Griffith.

A hero to me is not just a person who died for their country
or went inside a burning building or stuff like that.
A hero to me is a single mother who survives every day by herself,
A teenager against all odds getting through life,

A hero to me is not just a person who died for their country
or went inside a burning building or stuff like that.
A hero to me is a single mother who survives every day by herself,
A teenager against all odds getting through life,
An alcoholic walking into a rehab center,
A father being not just a father
but a friend, caregiver, supporter, a brick wall for his kids.
A friend, who no matter what or how wrong you are,
stands up for you and takes your side.
A hero, who no matter how hard they are being hit or pushed or beat down,
no matter how bad they are emotionally or physically or psychologically,
they stand up and keep going.
They push through the pain of life, love, kids, work, school, drugs,
sports, parents, heartbreak, alcohol; that to me is a hero.
A person who isn't just there, but is there living, breathing, and surviving.
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17. The Beauty Of A Tree
- By GabbyMac60
- Published by Family Friend Poems November 2018
I have always loved the beauty and strength of trees. One day I was envisioning myself as a tree with my roots growing deep in my faith.

Being Strong In Adversity

Can there be anything more lovely
Than the beauty of a tree?
Her leaves shimmering in the wind,
Dancing so gracefully.

Can there be anything more lovely
Than the beauty of a tree?
Her leaves shimmering in the wind,
Dancing so gracefully.

The strength of her mighty roots
That grows deep into the earth.
She's weathered every stormy gale
For all that she is worth.

Standing tall, resilient
With her branches lifted high,
She refused to bow, to break or bend
But reaches upward to the sky.

The beauty of the strength within
As she held her head up high.
Her strong resilient spirit
Grew wings and learned to fly.
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18. Courage
- By Edgar Guest
Courage isn't a brilliant dash,
A daring deed in a moment's flash;
It isn't an instantaneous thing
Born of despair with a sudden spring

Courage isn't a brilliant dash,
A daring deed in a moment's flash;
It isn't an instantaneous thing
Born of despair with a sudden spring
It isn't a creature of flickered hope
Or the final tug at a slipping rope;
But it's something deep in the soul of man
That is working always to serve some plan.

Courage isn't the last resort
In the work of life or the game of sport;
It isn't a thing that a man can call
At some future time when he's apt to fall;
If he hasn't it now, he will have it not
When the strain is great and the pace is hot.
For who would strive for a distant goal
Must always have courage within his soul.

Courage isn't a dazzling light
That flashes and passes away from sight;
It's a slow, unwavering, ingrained trait
With the patience to work and the strength to wait.
It's part of a man when his skies are blue,
It's part of him when he has work to do.
The brave man never is freed of it.
He has it when there is no need of it.

Courage was never designed for show;
It isn't a thing that can come and go;
It's written in victory and defeat
And every trial a man may meet.
It's part of his hours, his days and his years,
Back of his smiles and behind his tears.
Courage is more than a daring deed:
It's the breath of life and a strong man's creed.
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19. Stout Sprout
- By Hannah R. Soummers
- Published by Family Friend Poems April 2020
I grew up in a broken home, and I am very sensitive to my surroundings. I view the world in a poetic form. My childhood was like the death of a flower only to form a cocoon at the top for a butterfly to emerge. I have my wings now. I'm ready to fly.

Staying Strong And Growing Into A Beautiful Person

A sunflower will grow
With much beauty to show,
But the wind must blow,
Which brings the rain and the snow.

A sunflower will grow
With much beauty to show,
But the wind must blow,
Which brings the rain and the snow.

Shivering from the cold,
Waiting for her leaves to unfold.
Much too tender to hold,
Although all her petals are gold.

With roots in the ground,
She won't make a sound.
She feels she could drown,
'Til the sun comes around.

Standing strong with much height
And a little darkness from night,
She finds clarity in the light.
Growing taller, for that she will fight.
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20. Don't Give Up On Yourself
- By Katy A. Brown
- Published by Family Friend Poems June 2017
Losing yourself is such a surreal feeling. You can't really explain it to others. You just know that something feels...off. Like something just isn't right, like you're simply just not you. This poem is about realizing that there's something missing and doing something about it and tuning out the voices in your head that tell you to just give up. Because you know you're out there somewhere, you just have to keep on searching.

Finding Yourself

I'm on my way.
They may ask me, "Where to?"
Well, that I cannot say...
For even I have no clue.

I'm on my way.
They may ask me, "Where to?"
Well, that I cannot say...
For even I have no clue.

I know it's rather far,
For it has to make me whole.
The road to the stars,
The path to my soul.

I must go alone,
But I'll miss you all, believe me.
I must travel into the unknown,
I must sail all of the seas.

You see, I've lost something of mine.
It's special and grand...
Magnificent in its design.
How I lost it is hard to understand.

What did I lose?
Well...I'm not exactly sure.
Please, my confusion you must excuse...
I just know I must find a cure.

I have a terrible disease,
The name of it escapes me.
But it stops your hair from blowing in the breeze.
It stops your heart from feeling free.

I think it's called "Lack of Adventure,"
But correct me if I'm wrong.
That is why I must go on this venture,
For my very essence I must prolong.

I think I may have left my heart somewhere
Or the part of me that believes....
I'll be back soon, I swear!
But for awhile, I must leave.

I know I'm on my way,
And though I may not know where
Myself I cannot betray...
For I know I'm somewhere out there.
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1 - 20 of 56 Poems

Courage Poems

Poems about Strength

56 Bravery Poems

1. Still I Rise

2. Keep Going

3. Invictus

4. See It Through

5. It Couldn't Be Done

6. Sympathy

7. Defeat

8. The Monster

I have struggled with anxiety for as long as I can remember. In April of this past year (2018) I landed myself in the psych ward after giving myself third degree burns. This poem explains some of my story--where I've been, the paths I've walked, and the new life I've stumbled upon.

9. Inner Strength

Like a teacher, I believe God sets us many tests in life to prove how strong we really are. We wonder where he is when times are tough, but as we know, a teacher always stays quiet during a test.

10. A Wing And A Prayer

This is for my cousin Linda Pugliese, for strength and support through her battle with cancer. It also served to put some things in perspective and get me off the pity pot I was on after a split off a 20 plus year marriage.

11. Praise With Grace

This poem is about making it through tough times and trials with a positive outlook. It is the ultimate result that determines who you are.

12. My Dear Child

This is to my adopoted son and daughter whom are such a big part of my life

13. Sometimes Life Is Hard

Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.

14. Heart Over Matter

To me, this poem brings about those moments when you know what is the right thing for you to do and you know what you truly want. Deep within your heart you can feel it, but sometimes your mind and your logic overtake you and you end up not going for it, and sometimes you even regret it.

15. If You Stand For Nothing You Will Fall For Anything

16. A Different Kind Of Hero

For my mother, Marianne Griffith.

17. The Beauty Of A Tree

I have always loved the beauty and strength of trees. One day I was envisioning myself as a tree with my roots growing deep in my faith.

18. Courage

19. Stout Sprout

I grew up in a broken home, and I am very sensitive to my surroundings. I view the world in a poetic form. My childhood was like the death of a flower only to form a cocoon at the top for a butterfly to emerge. I have my wings now. I'm ready to fly.

20. Don't Give Up On Yourself