Ambition’s trail

From ImmortalPoetry
Jump to navigationJump to search

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

   If all the end of this continuous striving
      Were simply _to attain_,
   How poor would seem the planning and contriving,
   The endless urging and the hurried driving,
      Of body, heart, and brain!

   But ever in the wake of true achieving
      There shines this glowing trail—
   Some other soul will be spurred on, conceiving
   New strength and hope, in its own power believing,
      Because _thou_ didst not fail.

   Not thine alone the glory, nor the sorrow,
      If thou dost miss the goal;
   Undreamed of lives in many a far to-morrow
   From thee their weakness or their force shall borrow—
      On, on, ambitious soul.

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox


Add your comment
ImmortalPoetry welcomes all comments. If you do not want to be anonymous, register or log in. It is free.