I distinctly remember this poem by Edgar Albert Guest called, "It Couldn't Be Done.
My awesome 6th-grade teacher Ms. Cullen made us memorize it. At first, like any child, I didn't want to do it. However, this poem has come up in my life on many occasions. I've said it to my husband and children throughout the years. Who would've thought it? A little poem I learned in the 6th grade would come to me and encourage me throughout my life. Teachers, your work MATTERS. Thank You.
Thank You Ms. Cullen, I'm doing what couldn't be done! I'm doing it!
Edgar Albert Guest
Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it! Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do thatit
At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat And the first thing we knew he’d begun it. With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin, Without any doubting or quiddity,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn’t be done, and he did it. There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done, There are thousands to prophesy failure, There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.
