A Shot of Inspiration

I was reminded of this poem today, when my critique partners and I were discussing words of inspiration. A poem titled "in Defeat" may not sound very inspiring on first glance, but ever since I read this in eighth grade for an English assignment, I've loved every word. It's one of the very few poems I have memorized. I keep a copy of it hanging on my wall. Today, I share it with you:



in Defeat


Defeat may serve as well as victory

To shake the soul and let the glory out.

When the great oak is straining in the wind,

The boughs drink in new beauty, and the trunk

Sends down a deeper root on the windward side.

Only the soul that knows the mighty grief

Can know the mighty rapture. Sorrows come

To stretch out spaces in the heart for joy.



-- Edwin Markham.