The Greatest Poem Ever

The following Classic Poem, entitled "If" was written by Rudyard Kipling in 1895.  Just about 117 years ago.  This Poem will always hold special meaning to me because of the manner in which I was introduced to it.  When I was 17 years old and leaving our home for the first time to go away to College my Father handed me a white envelope; he gave it to me at the very last minute, said to hold on to it and open it when I arrived at my destination.  My Father was not always the most expressive of Men.  When I finally opened the envelope, opened the letter which was a reproduction of this Poem, and then read this Poem, I was quite moved.  I think on that very day back in 1987 I must have read this Poem at least ten times.  I thought the Poem was great and moving way back then; and as the years passed, and I, with each passing year, learned more about life and what it takes to succeed in life and as a Man, I learned to appreciate "If" even more.  So much timeless wisdom in one Poem written over 100 years ago:

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

-Rudyard Kipling

Father > Son > Son

I'm sure everyone has one favorite Poem that holds great and special meaning for them.  This is mine.  It still speaks to me and provides me with wisdom and guidance. 

I see my Father so clearly in this great, timeless Poem.  Raising eight children.  An unyielding work-ethic.  Always positive; never complaining.  An infinite thirst and hunger for learning and the acquisition of knowledge. 

Someday, many years from now when my Son is ready to go out on his own to make his mark on the world, I plan to also share this Poem with him.  In a simple white envelope; to be opened when he arrives at College.  Along with, besides the Poem itself, knowledge of how and why it became and remains my favorite Poem. 

.........................................."And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!"