"It Couldn't Be Done"

Last night on my way home from the DC Hearts The Arts Event I met and old man who recited this poem to me and I just had to share it with you ladies.

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,

But, he with a chuckle replied

That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one

Who wouldn't say so til he'd tried.

So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin

on his face. If he worried he hid it

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

that couldn't be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed; "Oh, you'll never do that,

at least no one has done it";

But he took off his coat and took off his hat

and the first thing we knew he'd begun it,

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,

without any doubting or quiddit,

He started to sing as he tackled the thing

that couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,

there are thousands to prophesy failure;

There are thousands to point out to you one by one,

The dangers that wait to assail you.

But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin,

Just take off your coat and go to it;

Just start to sing as you tackle the thing

that "couldn't be done," and you'll do it!

-Edgar A. Guest