With doubt and dismay you are smitten

You think there’s no chance for you, son?

Why, the best books haven’t been written

The best race hasn’t been run,

The best score hasn’t been made yet,

The best song hasn’t been sung,

The best tune hasn’t been played yet,

Cheer up, for the world is young!

No chance? Why the world is just eager

For things that you ought to create

Its store of true wealth is still meagre

Its needs are incessant and great,

It yearns for more power and beauty

More laughter and love and romance,

More loyalty, labor and duty,

No chance–why there’s nothing but chance!

For the best verse hasn’t been rhymed yet,

The best house hasn’t been planned,

The highest peak hasn’t been climbed yet,

The mightiest rivers aren’t spanned,

Don’t worry and fret, faint hearted,

The chances have just begun,

For the Best jobs haven’t been started,

The Best work hasn’t been done.

-Berton Braley-