" I fight a battle every day
Against discouragement and fear.
Some foe stands always in my way
The path ahead is never clear.
I must forever be on guard
Against the doubts that skulk along.
I get ahead by fighting hard.
But fighting keeps my spirit strong.
I hear the croakings of despair,
The dark predictions of the weak.
I find myself pursued by care,
No matter what the ends I seek.
My victories are small and few.
It matters not how hard I strive.
Each day the fight begins anew.
But fighting keeps my hopes alive.
My dreams are spoiled by circumstance.
My plans are wrecked by fate or luck.
Some hour, perhaps will bring my chance.
But that great hour has never struck.
My progress has been slow and hard.
I've had to climb and crawl and swim.
Fighting for every stubborn yard.
But I have kept in fighting trim.
I have to fight my doubts away
And be on guard against my fears.
The feeble croaking of dismay
Has been familiar through the years.
My dearest plans keep going wrong.
Events combine to thwart my will.
But fighting keeps my spirit strong
And I am undefeated still!"
--- S.E. Kiser ---