It is better as it is: I have failed but I can sleep; <br />Though the pit I now am in is very dark and deep <br />I can walk to-morrow's streets and can meet to-morrow's men <br />Unashamed to face their gaze as I go to work again. <br /> <br />I have lost the hope I had; in the dust are all my dreams, <br />But my loss is not so great or so dreadful as it seems; <br />I made my fight and though I failed I need not slink away <br />For I do not have to fear what another man may say. <br /> <br />They may call me over-bold, they may say that I was frail; <br />They may tell I dared too much and was doomed at last to fail; <br />They may talk my battle o'er and discuss it as they choose, <br />But I did no brother wrong- I'm the only one to lose. <br /> <br />It is better as it is: I have kept my self-respect. <br />I can walk to-morrow's streets meeting all men head erect. <br />No man can charge his loss to a pledge I did not keep; <br />I have no shame to regret: I have failed, but I can sleep.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-loss-is-not-so-great/
