If, by Rudyard Kipling. My absolutely favoritest poem ever.
I recently bought a box lot of old frames and pictures at an auction, sight unseen.
Inside was this depiction of my favorite poem ever… “If” by Rudyard Kipling.
My day job is as a social worker, and I’ve taught anger management classes for decades, both to adults and kids in the programs I’ve worked at, and at adult education classes. I always always always repeat this poem to the clients I work with, even if I know their eyes will glaze over in boredom. The concept is so powerful, and the words are so beautiful, they fill me with awe every time I read them.
This little framed depiction (just 7.5″ x 11.5″) is so beautifully done, I don’t know if I can bear to part with it… My photos do not do it justice.
IF
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;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man my son!
Rudyard Kipling, published in 1910.
For more information on the history of this poem, check out http://www.drmardy.com/ifferisms/kipling.shtml
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Main Location: Heritage Collectibles at 189 Main Street, Lewiston ME 04240.
Hours: Usually 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Thursdays|Fridays|Saturdays and 12:00 noon to 5:oo pm on Sunday. We’re also often open until 7:00 pm on Fridays.
These hours may vary depending on the demands of our day jobs (Linda is a social worker, and John is the post press supervisor at the local newspaper), whether we are exhibiting at a show, or are attending an auction we just don’t want to miss! Your best bet is to call us first to make sure we’ll be there, or to make an appointment.
Contact us:
Maine locations
… John: 207 713 0674 or JSnyder@regroupbiz.com
… Linda: 207 740 2247 or LSnyder@regroupbiz.com
Los Angeles location
… Jessamyn: 818 738 4713 0r JHopkins@regroupbiz.com
Generic Email
… HeritageCollectiblesMaine@gmail.com
Other Locations:
… Cabot Mill Antiques, Fort Andross, Brunswick ME
… Sherman Oaks Antiques Mall, Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks CA
Upcoming Shows & Exhibits
… none scheduled at this time; we’re taking a breather!
Message re Our Products:
All of the items we offer are vintage, antique or simply pre-owned. Therefore, reasonable wear & tear is to be expected, and our items are sold as seen and as described in the photos and/or in person.
We try to describe any damage, nicks, blemishes or other problems of which we are aware in any and all of our listings, and always include plenty of clear photographs which are integral to the description, so please review them closely.
Also, please be aware that vintage and antique items are unlikely to be in factory condition, so if you aren’t used to buying antique or vintage items – and are in fact looking for a pristine, unused item – a new reproduction may be better suited for you.
We ordinarily do not “clean up” items because such cleaning may detract from their value.
We are specific and honest in our descriptions because we want happy buyers who will return and/or refer their friends!
Heritage Collectibles of Maine 