YOURS is the loser's part to play, <br />For you the goal is far away <br />And never to be gained. <br />It is your lot to stand and see <br />The golden apples on life's tree <br />By some one else attained; <br />To view with yearning in your eyes <br />Another grasp the precious prize. <br /> <br />It is for you to wade through fire, <br />To feel the burning of desire <br />And want unsatisfied; <br />And from the sleepless hours of night <br />You rise at morn, once more to fight <br />With victory denied; <br />Spurred on by hope that never dies, <br />You struggle ever toward the prize. <br /> <br />A failure? Yes, as glory goes, <br />Yet braver in the end than those <br />Who life's great battles win; <br />For you return at break of day <br />With courage to renew the fray, <br />And with a lifted chin <br />You strive once more to reach the goal, <br />And ground your bark upon a shoal. <br /> <br />But when earth's story shall be told, <br />And God's great purpose we behold <br />With eyes new-born to see; <br />When we have passed beyond the pale <br />Of earth, and torn aside the veil <br />Of death's great mystery, <br />As souls victorious you'll stand <br />And God's great prizes you'll command.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-the-failures/
