Life’s journey is often defined by the effort we put forth, the struggles we face, and the determination we summon to persevere. The theme of doing your best, especially in times of adversity, resonates deeply across various genres of poetry. From striving against personal challenges to pushing through external obstacles, poets have explored this universal human experience through vivid imagery and compelling language.
This article explores 14 famous poems about trying your best—works that encourage perseverance, resilience, and tenacity. Each poem will be examined through excerpts and an in-depth analysis, shedding light on the diverse ways poets have portrayed the pursuit of personal excellence and resolve.
1. “If—” by Rudyard Kipling
Excerpt:
“If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;”
Analysis: Rudyard Kipling‘s If— is perhaps one of the most well-known poems about striving to be your best. The poem offers practical wisdom and guidance on how to live a virtuous life, especially during difficult times. Each stanza outlines a different virtue, from patience and self-confidence to resilience and strength. Kipling’s words urge readers to maintain their composure, continue pushing forward, and hold steadfast to their values, even when the world around them falters. The core message of the poem is that doing your best is not about achieving perfection, but about persevering with integrity, no matter the odds.
2. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
Excerpt:
“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
Analysis: Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken is often celebrated for its exploration of choices and their consequences. The poem tells of a traveler who encounters a fork in the road, faced with two different paths. In the end, the speaker chooses the less traveled one, and the poem reflects on how that choice shapes the course of their life. The theme of trying your best is seen in the decision to embark on an uncertain path with no guarantee of success. Frost emphasizes the significance of the decisions we make and how striving to follow our own course—no matter how difficult or lonely—is what shapes us and makes all the difference.
3. “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas
Excerpt:
“Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
Analysis: Dylan Thomas’ Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night is a poignant cry against resignation and surrender. The poem calls on individuals to “rage, rage against the dying of the light”—to fight against the inevitability of death with all the passion and energy they can muster. Although the poem is often interpreted as a plea to resist death itself, it also speaks to the larger theme of trying your best until the very end. It encourages an attitude of unrelenting perseverance, not just in the face of death but in any struggle. The speaker’s passionate insistence underscores the idea that one should always strive, always fight, and never give up.
4. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou
Excerpt:
“You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.”
Analysis: Maya Angelou’s Still I Rise is a powerful declaration of strength and resilience, particularly in the face of oppression. Angelou speaks to the ways in which others may try to subjugate or suppress her, but no matter what obstacles are thrown her way, she rises above them. The poem is a testament to the power of trying your best in the face of adversity, holding your ground and continuing to fight. Angelou’s repeated assertion of “I rise” serves as a reminder to always strive, to stand firm, and to continue pushing forward, no matter the setbacks or hardships.
5. “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley
Excerpt:
“I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.”
Analysis: William Ernest Henley’s Invictus is one of the most iconic poems about inner strength and resilience. Written while Henley was recovering from surgery to amputate his leg, the poem reflects his unyielding determination to maintain control over his life despite physical suffering. The central message of the poem is about the power of the individual to shape their destiny. Henley refuses to be defeated, no matter the hardships, and affirms that he alone is the master of his fate. Invictus is a celebration of trying your best, no matter the odds, and it speaks to the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most difficult circumstances.
6. “The Courage That My Mother Had” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Excerpt:
“The courage that my mother had
Went with her, and is with her still;
And the woman who died, and who died with her,
Will never know the strength of that courage.”
Analysis: In The Courage That My Mother Had, Edna St. Vincent Millay reflects on the courage her mother exhibited throughout her life. The speaker laments that her mother’s strength has passed with her death, but the impact of that courage remains. This poem is a meditation on inherited strength and the enduring power of trying one’s best, especially when it comes to resilience in the face of adversity. The poem highlights the importance of courage passed down through generations, urging readers to embody that same strength in their own lives.
7. “The Man in the Arena” by Theodore Roosevelt
Excerpt:
“It is not the critic who counts;
Not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles,
Or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena,
Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.”
Analysis: Although this excerpt is often attributed to Roosevelt’s speech rather than a standalone poem, its poetic nature and relevance to the theme of striving are undeniable. In this passage, Roosevelt speaks to the value of effort and action over criticism. The “man in the arena” is the one who takes risks, faces challenges, and tries his best, regardless of the outcome. Roosevelt’s words remind us that true courage and value lie in the act of trying, not in sitting on the sidelines and judging others.
8. “To Strive, to Seek, to Find, and Not to Yield” by Alfred Lord Tennyson
Excerpt:
“To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
Analysis: This famous line from Tennyson’s Ulysses encapsulates the essence of striving for excellence, no matter the obstacles or challenges. The speaker, Ulysses, reflects on the purpose of life and the importance of continuing to seek knowledge, adventure, and growth, even in old age. The phrase “not to yield” emphasizes the importance of determination and persistence. The poem reminds readers that trying their best is an ongoing pursuit, and even as time passes, the desire to strive should remain unyielding.
9. “A Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Excerpt:
“Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.”
Analysis: In A Psalm of Life, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow encourages readers to live life with purpose and to strive towards meaningful goals. The poem rejects the idea of passively accepting life as it is, urging instead for action and perseverance. Longfellow emphasizes that we must make the most of every moment and continue to strive for excellence. The poem’s central message is that trying your best in life—through purposeful action and engagement—is the path to a fulfilling existence.
10. “Go, Lovely Rose” by Edmund Waller
Excerpt:
“Go, lovely Rose,
Tell her that wastes her time and me,
That now she knows,
When I am dead, how dead I be.”
Analysis: Edmund Waller’s Go, Lovely Rose may seem to be about love, but it’s also about the fleeting nature of time and the importance of acting while we still can. The poem tells the rose to deliver a message to the woman, urging her not to waste time but to act, to live fully, and to strive for love and fulfillment while she can. This serves as a metaphor for life itself—encouraging us to try our best in the time we have, without letting opportunities slip away.
11. “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot
Excerpt:
“Do I dare disturb the universe?
In a minute there is time
For decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.”
Analysis: T.S. Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock explores the internal conflict of a man who fears making mistakes and thus hesitates to take action. The poem delves into the paralysis that can come from overthinking and self-doubt. Yet, there’s a subtle message about the importance of trying your best, even in the face of uncertainty. Prufrock’s hesitation highlights the tension between fear and effort, urging readers to act and make choices despite the risk of failure.
12. “Be the Best of Whatever You Are” by Douglas Malloch
Excerpt:
“If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley—but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.”
Analysis: Douglas Malloch’s Be the Best of Whatever You Are is a straightforward and uplifting poem about striving for excellence, regardless of the circumstances. Malloch encourages readers to do their best, no matter their position or situation in life. Whether one is a “pine on the top of the hill” or a “scrub in the valley,” the message remains the same: always strive to be the best at what you do. The poem celebrates the dignity in all forms of work and effort, urging readers to put forth their best effort in everything they undertake.
13. “Success” by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Excerpt:
“To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition.”
Analysis: Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Success defines success not in terms of material wealth but through the values of character, love, and perseverance. The poem emphasizes that trying your best means contributing to the well-being of others and the world around you. Emerson’s vision of success encompasses a broad view of personal effort, including acts of kindness, learning, and growth. The poem highlights that true success is measured by one’s ability to make a positive difference in the world.
14. “The Will to Win” by Berton Braley
Excerpt:
“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 the desire of it makes you quite mad enough
Never to tire of it, makes you hold all other things tawdry and cheap.”
Analysis: Berton Braley’s The Will to Win is a powerful reminder of the importance of determination and persistence. The poem emphasizes that success is not handed to anyone—it must be earned through hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. Braley’s words speak directly to the essence of trying your best: the unwavering determination to go after what you want with all your heart and soul, regardless of the challenges you face. The poem serves as a motivational call to action, urging readers to give their all in the pursuit of their dreams.
Conclusion
The 14 poems discussed here offer a range of perspectives on the theme of trying your best. Whether through perseverance in the face of adversity, courage in making difficult choices, or striving for success with integrity and determination, each poem highlights the importance of effort in achieving personal growth and fulfillment. These works remind us that life’s journey is not defined by the obstacles we face, but by the resolve we show in overcoming them. The pursuit of excellence is a universal experience, and through poetry, we are able to reflect on the profound impact that trying our best can have on our lives.
