Courage isn't a brilliant dash, <br />A daring deed in a moment's flash; <br />It isn't an instantaneous thing <br />Born of despair with a sudden spring <br />It isn't a creature of flickered hope <br />Or the final tug at a slipping rope; <br />But it's something deep in the soul of man <br />That is working always to serve some plan. <br /> <br />Courage isn't the last resort <br />In the work of life or the game of sport; <br />It isn't a thing that a man can call <br />At some future time when he's apt to fall; <br />If he hasn't it now, he will have it not <br />When the strain is great and the pace is hot. <br />For who would strive for a distant goal <br />Must always have courage within his soul. <br /> <br />Courage isn't a dazzling light <br />That flashes and passes away from sight; <br />It's a slow, unwavering, ingrained trait <br />With the patience to work and the strength to wait. <br />It's part of a man when his skies are blue, <br />It's part of him when he has work to do. <br />The brave man never is freed of it. <br />He has it when there is no need of it. <br /> <br />Courage was never designed for show; <br />It isn't a thing that can come and go; <br />It's written in victory and defeat <br />And every trial a man may meet. <br />It's part of his hours, his days and his years, <br />Back of his smiles and behind his tears. <br />Courage is more than a daring deed: <br />It's the breath of life and a strong man's creed.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/courage-133/
