Welcome to Poem of the Day – The Will to Win by Berton Braley.
Berton Braley’s The Will to Win is an inspiring and motivating poem that underscores the importance of determination, persistence, and the relentless pursuit of one’s goals. With its straightforward language and commanding tone, the poem highlights the mental and physical commitment necessary to achieve success. Through a powerful exploration of desire, sacrifice, and perseverance, Braley constructs a compelling argument that success is not dependent on circumstances or luck, but on the individual’s unwavering resolve to push through challenges and never give up. In this essay, we will delve into the central themes of the poem, its literary techniques, and the underlying message that drives Braley’s work.
The Will to Win
If you want a thing bad enough
To go out and fight for it,
Work day and night for it,
Give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it
If only desire of it
Makes you quite mad enough
Never to tire of it,
Makes you hold all other things tawdry and cheap for it
If life seems all empty and useless without it
And all that you scheme and you dream is about it,
If gladly you’ll sweat for it,
Fret for it,
Plan for it,
Lose all your terror of God or man for it,
If you’ll simply go after that thing that you want,
With all your capacity,
Strength and sagacity,
Faith, hope and confidence, stern pertinacity,
If neither cold poverty, famished and gaunt,
Nor sickness nor pain
Of body or brain
Can turn you away from the thing that you want,
If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it,
You’ll get it!
The Will to Win Explanation
1. The Central Theme of Desire and Determination
At the heart of The Will to Win lies the theme of desire as the driving force behind success. The poem opens with a question to the reader: “If you want a thing bad enough.” This immediately sets the stage for a discussion about the depth of longing required to achieve a goal. Braley’s use of the phrase “bad enough” signals that the goal must be more than a mere wish—it should be an all-consuming desire. The intensity of this desire is evident throughout the poem, with Braley describing how this yearning must drive the individual to act relentlessly toward their objective.
Braley emphasizes that desire alone is not sufficient; it must be paired with active effort. The desire to achieve something should push a person to “go out and fight for it,” “work day and night for it,” and even “give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it.” These actions demonstrate that the pursuit of one’s dreams requires sacrifices—whether it be time, personal comfort, or peace of mind. For Braley, the desire to achieve something must transcend the ordinary; it must become a force that redefines one’s priorities and outlook on life. This passionate drive is further reinforced by the phrase “never to tire of it,” suggesting that persistence is key and that failure or setbacks should never weaken one’s resolve.
2. Sacrifice and Perseverance
Braley’s poem is a vivid reminder that achieving success is not an easy or passive endeavor. He outlines the sacrifices that must be made in order to reach one’s goal. The individual must be willing to give up “time,” “peace,” and “sleep”—three of the most precious commodities in life. By sacrificing these things, the person demonstrates their dedication to their goal and their readiness to endure hardship in the pursuit of success. The sacrifices Braley mentions are not symbolic or abstract; they are tangible and relate to the real-world commitment required to achieve greatness.
Moreover, the poem emphasizes that the pursuit of success will not be free from challenges or discomfort. Braley mentions that the individual will “sweat for it,” “fret for it,” and “plan for it.” These verbs suggest not just physical effort but mental strain as well. The individual must be prepared to endure both the physical toll of their work and the mental anguish that comes with the pursuit of difficult goals. The repetition of these action verbs serves to create a rhythm of activity, reinforcing the idea that achieving a goal is an ongoing process that demands continuous effort, focus, and sacrifice.
3. Overcoming Fear and Doubt
Another critical theme in The Will to Win is overcoming fear—both of failure and of external forces. Braley writes that, in the pursuit of one’s goal, the individual must “lose all your terror of God or man for it.” This powerful line indicates that fear—whether it stems from societal expectations, religious constraints, or personal doubts—must be overcome in order to succeed. The poem suggests that those who truly want something must be willing to take risks, face rejection, and stand firm in their convictions, even when others may doubt them.
This theme of fearlessness is also seen in the willingness to press forward despite external challenges. Braley speaks of enduring poverty, sickness, and pain, and asserts that these physical and emotional hurdles should not deter someone from their goal. The line “dogged and grim you besiege and beset it” further conveys the idea of persistence in the face of adversity. The individual is likened to a warrior or a relentless force that “besieges” their objective, emphasizing that achieving success requires a single-minded focus that overcomes all obstacles.
4. The Role of Strength, Confidence, and Mental Fortitude
Braley’s poem also stresses the importance of mental and emotional strength in achieving one’s goals. He speaks of the need for “capacity, strength and sagacity,” which are not just physical attributes but intellectual and emotional ones as well. “Sagacity,” meaning wisdom or discernment, highlights the need for strategic thinking in the pursuit of success. While hard work and persistence are essential, the individual must also possess the wisdom to navigate challenges intelligently. This balance of determination and reason is crucial to making progress toward one’s goals.
Furthermore, Braley emphasizes the significance of faith, hope, and confidence. These qualities give the individual the mental fortitude to persevere through adversity. Faith in one’s ability to succeed, hope for a better future, and confidence in the pursuit of one’s dreams are essential components of the mindset that will propel the person forward. By combining these qualities with physical effort, the individual is more likely to succeed in the face of obstacles.
5. The Ultimate Reward: Success
Braley’s poem concludes with the resounding declaration that if a person embodies all of the qualities outlined throughout the poem—desire, sacrifice, perseverance, fearlessness, and mental fortitude—they will ultimately “get it.” The repetition of the phrase “you’ll get it” is emphatic and definitive, reinforcing the central message that success is not an accident but the result of deliberate, sustained effort. The poem concludes with a triumphant sense of inevitability: if a person is determined enough and works hard enough, their efforts will bear fruit.
The final statement of the poem, “you’ll get it,” is a triumphant declaration that transcends mere optimism. It offers the reader a sense of empowerment and a reminder that success is possible, regardless of external circumstances. It suggests that, with enough perseverance and dedication, the desired goal is within reach. This declaration of success is both motivational and a validation of the qualities Braley has outlined as essential to achieving one’s dreams.
Conclusion
Berton Braley’s The Will to Win is a powerful, motivational poem that speaks to the universal human experience of striving toward one’s goals. Through his vivid imagery and forceful language, Braley emphasizes the importance of unwavering determination, sacrifice, and the courage to overcome fear and doubt. He reminds the reader that success is not an accident but the result of deliberate and persistent effort. By encouraging the reader to approach their goals with confidence, mental fortitude, and an unrelenting drive, Braley crafts a message of empowerment and hope. Ultimately, the poem serves as a timeless reminder that success is attainable for those who are willing to fight for it, work tirelessly for it, and never give up on their dreams.
