A Favorite Poem

In an earlier blog I mentioned some of my favorite poems. The one I'm posting today ranks very near the top. I've been trying to find my copy of it, or a copy online. I, as usual, did not remember the writer, but my memory said the title was "The Arrow."

I searched and searched on line, but kept finding references to other poems and poets. I 'met' this poem early in life, but about 30 years ago, some friends gave me a book of poems, titled "The Home Book of Modern Verse by Burton Egbert Stevenson." I am not sure what happened to the book, but I no longer seem to have it. Today I flipped through an old notebook of mine and would you believe it! I had copied the poem "The Arrow" by Clarence Urmy, with the notation above. So, here it is. I hope you like it, at least almost as much as I do.

The Arrow by Clarence Urmy

Straight from a mighty bow this truth is driven:
"They fail, and they alone, who have not striven."

Fly far, O shaft of light! all doubt redeeming;
Rouse men from dull despair and idle dreaming.

High Heaven's evangel be, gospel God-given:
"They fail, and they alone, who have not striven."

Focus on the second and last line. If you tried to do something, but did not quite achieve your desired goal, you may be disappointed; but in trying, you did not fail.