Poems by Berton Braley

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Start Where You Stand

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in Famous Inspirational Poems

In Berton Braley's poem "Start Where You Stand," the poet encourages embracing the present moment and letting go of the past. The past holds no power in shaping new beginnings; it is merely a closed chapter. Each new day presents an opportunity to embark on a fresh journey, unburdened by past defeats or successes. The world is indifferent to past failures if one can rise again and achieve success. Time is fleeting, and there is much work to be done. It is essential to leave behind buried sorrows and fears, facing the future with courage and determination. Yesterday is gone, and the focus should be on the challenges and triumphs of today. The poem serves as a reminder to start where you stand and make the most of the present moment, driving forward with unwavering bravery.

Start where you stand and never mind the past,
The past won't help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that's enough, you're done with it, you're through;

Start where you stand and never mind the past,
The past won't help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that's enough, you're done with it, you're through;
This is another chapter in the book,
This is another race that you have planned,
Don't give the vanished days a backward look,
Start where you stand.

The world won't care about your old defeats
If you can start anew and win success;
The future is your time, and time is fleet
And there is much of work and strain and stress;
Forget the buried woes and dead despairs,
Here is a brand-new trial right at hand,
The future is for him who does and dares,
Start where you stand.

Old failures will not halt, old triumphs aid,
To-day's the thing, to-morrow soon will be;
Get in the fight and face it unafraid,
And leave the past to ancient history,
What has been, has been; yesterday is dead
And by it you are neither blessed nor banned;
Take courage, man, be brave and drive ahead,
Start where you stand.
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Opportunity

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in Famous Inspirational Poems

In "Opportunity" by Berton Braley, the speaker offers encouragement to those plagued by doubt and dismay. They assert that there is still ample opportunity for greatness and achievement. The poem emphasizes that the world is hungry for new creations, longing for power, beauty, laughter, love, and more. It asserts that there is an abundance of untapped potential in various fields, such as literature, architecture, exploration, and work. The message conveyed is one of hope and optimism, urging individuals to seize the chances presented to them and not be disheartened, for the best is yet to come.

With doubt and dismay you are smitten
You think there's no chance for you, son?
Why, the best books haven't been written
The best race hasn't been run,

With doubt and dismay you are smitten
You think there's no chance for you, son?
Why, the best books haven't been written
The best race hasn't been run,
The best score hasn't been made yet,
The best song hasn't been sung,
The best tune hasn't been played yet,
Cheer up, for the world is young!

No chance? Why the world is just eager
For things that you ought to create
Its store of true wealth is still meagre
Its needs are incessant and great,
It yearns for more power and beauty
More laughter and love and romance,
More loyalty, labor and duty,
No chance- why there's nothing but chance!

For the best verse hasn't been rhymed yet,
The best house hasn't been planned,
The highest peak hasn't been climbed yet,
The mightiest rivers aren't spanned,
Don't worry and fret, faint hearted,
The chances have just begun,
For the Best jobs haven't been started,
The Best work hasn't been done.
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The Will To Win

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in Famous Inspirational Poems

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.

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

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!
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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...

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Poems by Berton Braley

Start Where You Stand

Opportunity

The Will To Win

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.