Famous Inspirational Poem

Edgar A. Guest was born in 1881 in England, but his family moved to the United States when he was 10. It is believed that he wrote more than 11,000 poems. Guest wrote about family, work, children, and God. In this poem, he shows that each person has the ability to do amazing things, but we must each work hard to get to where we want to be. We must look within ourselves to find the strength and courage needed to do great things with what God has given us. This is a poem of encouragement and motivation. Within each stanza are sets of rhyming couplets.

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I lost my wife Donna in April 2021. Edgar Albert Guest's poem is inspiring me to carry on and get on with things. Life is too short.

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Famous Poem

Equipment

Edgar A. Guest By more Edgar A. Guest

Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You've all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes,
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say "I can."

Look them over, the wise and great,
They take their food from a common plate
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes,
The world considers them brave and smart.
But you've all they had when they made their start.

You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if only you will,
You're well equipped for what fight you choose,
You have legs and arms and a brain to use,
And the man who has risen, great deeds to do
Began his life with no more than you.

You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go.
How much you will study the truth to know,
God has equipped you for life, But He
Lets you decide what you want to be.

Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win,
So figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began.
Get hold of yourself, and say: "I can."

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Has this poem touched you? Share your story!
  • Terrie Burris by Terrie Burris
  • 4 months ago

I learned this poem in High School back in 1980. Although my English teacher Ms Ruth Wright, called it Carver's poem she always let us know it was written by Edgar Guest and it was required reading in her class. I kept a copy of it on my dresser for over 20 years and used to give a framed copy to my nieces and nephews when they graduated from high school as inspiration. It has always been a part of my journey. Recently I recited part of it to my twin nephews at their graduation ceremony. This is one for the books and I will always cherish being introduced to it so long ago.

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  • Stefan Mevve by Stefan Mevve
  • 2 years ago

It is a very good poem. It helped me in 2019 when I suffered from depression.

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  • Severino Camillo by Severino Camillo
  • 3 years ago

I lost my wife Donna in April 2021. Edgar Albert Guest's poem is inspiring me to carry on and get on with things. Life is too short.

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  • Indrani Kalita by Indrani Kalita
  • 3 years ago

It's really a wonderful poem. It not only gets the people introduced with the qualities they have but also encourage them to remain positive to have a better tomorrow like those whom we think to be blessed with special abilities by realizing their proper use. It teaches us to have faith in self...to do something amazing.

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  • Sheron Inniss by Sheron Inniss
  • 3 years ago

This poem is for everyone. It lifted me at 57+ years plus young as a person and self-published poet. I shared it with my adult God-son who now has a 1 year old.

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  • Fruit Car by Fruit Car, Pretoria
  • 3 years ago

This poem really touched my from the bottom of my heart, and it really sends a positive message. This really made my day.

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  • Jeffrey Lee Smith by Jeffrey Lee Smith
  • 3 years ago

Great poem. I have a lot of stuff to learn about life in this poem.

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  • Adarsh Mishra by Adarsh Mishra
  • 5 years ago

This poem gives me peace and contentment. I feel like I have all those things which are found in a high class. I would say my special thanks to Edgar A. Guest for writing this poem.

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  • DIPAYAN DEY by DIPAYAN DEY
  • 5 years ago

This is one of the greatest pieces of inspiration I have ever read.

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  • Dontaye Bell Ll by Dontaye Bell Ll
  • 6 years ago

I love Edgar Albert Guest's poems because they always give me a message that will help me in the real world.

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  • Paul J. O'Brien by Paul J. O'Brien
  • 6 years ago

A great poem with a good message. Perfect for people with low self-esteem.

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