a touch of inspiration

if you can make a heap of all your winnings
and risk it all on one turn of pitch and toss
and lose and start again at your beginning
and never breath a word about your loss
if you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
to serve your turn long after they are gone
and so hold on when there is nothing in you
expect the will which says to them “hold on”
if you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue
or walk with kings not losing the common touch
if neither foes or loving friends can hurt you
if all men count with you but none too much
if you can fill the unforgiving minute
with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run
yours is the earth and everything that’s in it
and – which is more – you’ll be a man my son