'It Might Have Been' Poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

'It Might Have Been'

Rating: 3.2


We will be what we could be. Do not say,
'It might have been, had not this, or that, or this.'
No fate can keep us from the chosen way;
He only might who is.

We will do what we could do. Do not dream
Chance leaves a hero, all uncrowned to grieve.
I hold, all men are greatly what they seem;
He does, who could achieve.

We will climb where we could climb. Tell me not
Of adverse storms that kept thee from the height.
What eagle ever missed the peak he sought?
He always climbs who might.

I do not like the phrase 'It might have been! '
It lacks force, and life's best truths perverts:
For I believe we have, and reach, and win,
Whatever our deserts.

'It Might Have Been'
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Lesa K 02 August 2006

This poem is an encouragement to strive and perservere. It's about courage, blood, sweat, and tears; believing in one's own self and abilities.

18 2 Reply
Zae 27 April 2011

luv it very passionate u r my fave poett

11 7 Reply
Shaun Cronick 27 June 2020

If a reader seeks magic then look no further and keep reading the enchanting poems of a gifted and so sadly missed poetess. Ella Wheeler Wilcox. My poetry inspiration and my greatest friend in time.

14 2 Reply
Pranab K Chakraborty 26 July 2015

Quiet sharp as knife and hard as bullet a poem written by a sweet look poet. It's nice to think poet tried to illustrate an abstract with the force of her pen. Life's truths are really not possible to calculate by any fixed parameter. It oscillates between May be OR May not be. Exception only in the ending phenomena, universal truth is death. Any way, poem is forceful to inspire who wants to be inspired. Pranab k chakraborty

8 3 Reply
M Asim Nehal 04 August 2016

Very well analysed.

0 1
Larry Hoover 08 December 2021

this poem was absolute not even gon lie, ts made my dog die. My dog is dead asf because of this garbage poem im never reading it again orr referring it to anyone, and thats on jesus christ. Ole fat mouth

1 3 Reply
Rose Marie Juan-austin 04 June 2021

A very moving and powerful poem. Beautifully written.

1 1 Reply
Varsha M 06 March 2021

Powerful. Inspiring. Indeed we all should pay attention to this. We are the author of our life we can make changes. We csn think alternatives.

0 3 Reply
Deluke Muwanigwa 06 March 2021

I am encouraged to work hard to be. Nice poem

0 2 Reply
M Asim Nehal 06 March 2021

Positive thinking is always better than having doubts.

0 2 Reply
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Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Johnstown Center / Rock County / Wisconsin
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