It’s Never Too Late to Try

Of course, if you mean to catch a train,

The better way is to start on time;

Still, if you’re late,

Don’t rail at fate,

And sob and sigh and wail and wait

For another day,

But spring away

The very best you can until

You find your vow

To “do it now”

Has somehow made you catch it still;

For the sages say

The world makes way

For the earnest soul that says, “I will”!

If you mean to win in life’s swift race,

The better way is to start in youth;

Still, if you find

You’ve been left behind

By the wiser starters, keep in mind

Your needs and say,

“I’ll improve each day,

And every hour and each spare minute;

I’ve been careless, yet

I shall try to get

A prize!” and you stand a chance to win it:

But the weak-willed goose

With his “What’s the use?”

Alas! we know he won’t be in it.

Source: Never Too Late to Mend, by Nixon Waterman