July 2, 2011

If you can fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run.


In 3rd grade, my ambitious grandfather presented me a printed copy of it and the promise of a crisp $100 bill if I could memorize it.
(I didn't, but the folded copy still sits in my pink leather The New Adventure Bible circa the 90's bay bay.)
In 7th grade, Mrs. Hargrove assigned recitation of it for a grade.
(Apparantly, dangle an "A" over my head and I'd do anything. This time I memorization happened.)
And now, in honor of this weekend being the last of one of my favorite televised events, and in honor of Sharapova's rockin' white Nike dresses, I give you:

My favorite poem ever.

Because over the Centre Court players' entrance gates at the All England Club is scribed, "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same." Mrs. Hargrove dropped that fact on my junior high Trinity class and I've never forgotten, though Federer and Nadal reminded me in 2008 with their hot accents in a Wimbledon commerical.

'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 all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath 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!"

My current Most Favorite Female Human Breathing at Wimbledon. via



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, 1865-1936

Probs the best advice ever, and it's dang close to biblical wisdom, too. So today: Bring it Nadal. Bring it Sharapova, because you clearly stuck it out in the women's semi-final match. Luh you both.


Okay okay okayyyy. I had too. Awwwww, that's a good engagment shot. via

p.s. Dear Bex, come home. No one will go hit with me and Daddy devotes leisure time to his new left-handed golf project. Courts > driving range.

27 comments:

  1. such a good poem! and kate middleton...can she do any wrong?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I recited this for my school's poetry contest in 7th grade! Such a good one.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I remember doing that for her class!! I think this is one of the few memory works we ever did that really resonated with everyone!
    P.S. This men's final is insaaaane.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi there! I could have sworn I've visited your blog before but after looking at some of the articles I realized it's new to me.
    Anyways, I'm definitely pleased I stumbled upon it and I'll be bookmarking it and checking back regularly!


    Here is my page - Nike Air Max

    ReplyDelete
  5. There is cеrtаіnly а lot to find out about this
    topіc. I like all of the рoints уou've made.

    Feel free to visit my blog - premature ejaculation pills

    ReplyDelete
  6. My family members always say that I am killing my
    time here at net, but I know I am getting experience daily
    by reading thes fastidious articles or reviews.


    my web blog - Air Jordan Pas Cher

    ReplyDelete
  7. It is the best time to make some plans for the future
    and it's time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or advice.
    Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article.

    I want to read even more things about it!

    my weblog ... www.officielairjordansolde.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I know this website offers quality depending articles or reviews
    and additional stuff, is there any other web site which provides these kinds
    of information in quality?

    Check out my web site ... Abercrombie and Fitch

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks on your marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you might be a great author.

    I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will
    eventually come back down the road. I want to encourage you to continue your great
    writing, have a nice morning!

    Here is my blog post; Abercrombie and Fitch

    ReplyDelete
  10. Howdy! Do you use Twitter? I'd like to follow you if that would be okay. I'm definitely enjoying
    your blog and look forward to new updates.

    Also visit my web blog: wealthwayonline.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog
    and I am impressed! Very useful information specially the last part :
    ) I care for such info much. I was seeking this certain information
    for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

    Feel free to surf to my web site Louis Vuitton Handbags

    ReplyDelete
  12. I know this website offers quality dependent articles or reviews and other data, is there any other site which provides such data in quality?



    Here is my webpage - Abercrombie Fitch Belgique

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am now not positive where you're getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend a while finding out much more or understanding more. Thank you for magnificent information I used to be in search of this info for my mission.

    Here is my webpage Authentic Evgeni Malkin Jersey

    ReplyDelete
  14. The other day, while I was at work, my cousin stole my apple ipad and tested
    to see if it can survive a 30 foot drop, just so she can be
    a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views.
    I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone!


    Also visit my web blog ... Http://Www.Abercrombiebe.Com/

    ReplyDelete
  15. What's up everyone, it's my first pay a visit at this site,
    and article is truly fruitful in support of me,
    keep up posting these posts.

    my webpage: Converse Pas Cher

    ReplyDelete
  16. This piece of writing provides clear idea in favor of the new people of
    blogging, that in fact how to do running a blog.

    Check out my page ... Sito Ufficiale Gucci Borse

    ReplyDelete
  17. It's hard to find experienced people for this subject, however, you sound like you know what you're talking about!
    Thanks

    Also visit my page: Air Jordan 2013

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's amazing to go to see this website and reading the views of all friends concerning this piece of writing, while I am also zealous of getting familiarity.

    Look into my blog post :: Air Jordan Femme

    ReplyDelete
  19. Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though
    you relied on the video to make your point.
    You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your
    site when you could be giving us something enlightening
    to read?

    My website :: Abercrombie France

    ReplyDelete
  20. I know this website presents quality dependent articles and
    other stuff, is there any other website which gives these stuff in
    quality?

    Feel free to visit my web page - NFL Jerseys Cheap

    ReplyDelete
  21. Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you're just extremely magnificent. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you're
    stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it smart.
    I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a wonderful website.


    Feel free to visit my web blog - click for source

    ReplyDelete
  22. My family all the time say that I am wasting my time here at web, except I know I am
    getting familiarity all the time by reading such pleasant posts.


    Check out my site: Michael Kors Outlet

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for sharing an interesting and very useful article. And let me share an article about health here I believe this is useful. Thank you :)

    Cara Memulihkan Tulang yang Retak
    Perawatan Pasca Keguguran tanpa Kuret

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...