Prem Patel, Year 8, sent me a copy of this poem that he found while working on his Silver Reading Award. Written in 1927, it would be easy to believe the poem was written specially for this period of home-schooling!

Edgar Guest was born in England in 1881, his family moving to America in 1891. When his father lost his job, 11-year-old Edgar started doing odd jobs after school to earn money. In 1895 he was hired by the Detroit Free Press, where he worked for 65 years, climbing the ladder from copy boy to the news department. Guest’s first poem appeared when he was just seventeen.

Prem said. “I like this poem most as it relates to me as a student…. I do like rhyming poems more as they are more fun and interesting in my opinion. It is a motivational poem as well, if you read it from the right perspective, where it is letting you know the importance of study and what will happen.”

You
(Taken from ‘Principles of Study’ by Edgar Guest)

You are the fellow that has to decide
Whether you’ll do it or toss it aside.
You are the fellow who makes up your mind
Whether you’ll lead or will linger behind
Whether you’ll try for the goal that’s afar
Or just be contented to stay where you are.
Take it or leave it. Here’s something to do!
Just think it over — It’s all up to you!

What do you wish? To be known as a shirk,
Known as a good man who’s willing to work,
Scorned for a loafer or praised by your chief,
Rich man or poor man or beggar or thief?
Eager or earnest or dull through the day,
Honest or crooked? It’s you who must say!
You must decide in the face of the test
Whether you’ll shirk it or give it your best.

Nobody here will compel you to rise;
No one will force you to open your eyes;
No one will answer for you yes or no,
Whether to stay there or whether to go.
Life is a game, but it’s you who must say,
Whether as cheat or as sportsman you’ll play.
Fate may betray you, but you settle first
Whether to live to your best or your worst.

So, whatever it is you are wanting to be,
Remember, to fashion the choice you are free.
Kindly or selfish, or gentle or strong,
Keeping the right way or taking the wrong,
Careless of honor or guarding your pride,
All these are questions which you must decide.
Yours the selection, whichever you do;