equipment – THE POEM

Today I just wanted to inspire you with one of my favourite poems – Equipment by Edgar A. Guest.
Figure it out for yourself, my lad * You’ve all that the greatest of men have had * Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes  *And a brain to use if you would be wise * With this equipment they all began * So start for the top and say, “I can.”

Look them over, the wise and great * They take their food from a common plate * And similar knives and forks they use * With similar laces they tie their shoes * The world considers them brave and smart * But you’ve all they had when they made their start.

You can triumph and come to skill * You can be great if you only will * You’re well equipped for what fight you choose * You have legs and arms and a brain to use * And the man who has risen great deeds to do * Began his life with no more than you.

You are the handicap you must face * You are the one who must choose your place * You must say where you want to go * How much you will study the truth to know * God has equipped you for life, but He * Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within * The man must furnish the will to win * So figure it out for yourself, my lad * You were born with all that the great have had * With your equipment they all began * Get hold of yourself and say: “I can.”

Have a great week!