linaewen | A Meme Challenge and a Challenging Poem

I got this meme, challenge, thing from

meneleth, and posting it is part of the challenge!

For the first three people that reply to me and re-post this challenge - I will send you something. It might be something I've made, or something cool from my hidden stash. Whatever it is, I promise that I will get it out in the mail in 30 days or less. I will need your snail mail addy for this, so just email me at lin4gondor@livejournal.com after you post a reply.

The only thing you need to do in order to participate is to be one of the first three to reply to this, AND post this very same thing on YOUR live journal (yes, you gotta post it to participate).

The poem I want to share for Verse Thursday is a challenge of a different sort -- though by promising to get something in the mail within 30 days, I might have to reread this poem to remind myself that it is possible to keep that promise! I have recently been trying to keep myself motivated on several fronts -- losing weight and keeping on task to get caught up (as much as possible) with all the things I feel I am behind in. It's a daunting, challenging task some days, and I am frequently tempted to throw in the proverbial towel. But I recently read a neat poem in a newsletter I get every month, and I found it most encouraging!

Well, maybe not exactly encouraging -- but at least motivating! :-D

CAN'T

by Edgar A. Guest

Can't is the worst word that's written or spoken;
Doing more harm here than slander and lies;
On it is many a strong spirit broken,
And with it many a good purpose dies.
It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning
And robs us of courage we need through the day:
It rings in our ears like a timely sent warning
And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.

Can't is the father of feeble endeavor,
The parent of terror and halfhearted work;
It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,
And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.
It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,
It stifles in infancy many a plan;
It greets honest toiling with open derision
And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.

Can't is a word none should speak without blushing;
To utter it should be a symbol of shame;
Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;
It blights a man's purpose and shortens his aim.
Despise it with all of your hatred of error;
Refuse it the lodgment it seeks in your brain;
Arm against it as a creature to terror,
And all that you dream of you someday shall gain.

Can't is the word that is foe to ambition,
An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;
Its prey is forever the man with a mission
And bows but to courage and patience and skill.
Hate it, with hatred that's deep and undying,
For once it is welcomed 'twill break any man;
Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying
and answer this demon by saying: "I can."

So today, I am saying I CAN finish the project I am currently working on, and I CAN avoid eating that piece of chocolate my DH foolishly left unattended. ;-) Best wishes to all my dear ones in saying YES, I CAN today.