Moving forward by James W. Foley

Moving forward by James W. Foley

'Tis not by wishing that we gain the prize,

Nor yet by ruing,

But from our falling, learning to rise,

And tireless doing.

The idols broken, nor our tears and sighs,

May yet restore them.

Regret is only for fools; the wise

Look but before them.

Nor ever yet Success was wooed with tears;

To notes of gladness

Alone the fickle goddess turns her ears,

She hears not sadness.

Look not behind the: there is only dust

And vain regretting.

The lost tide ebbs; in the next flood thou must

Learn, by forgetting.

For the lost chances be ye not distressed

To endless weeping;

Be not the thrush that o'er the empty nest

Is vigil keeping.

But in new efforts our regrets today

To stillness whiling

Let us in some pure purpose find the way

To future smiling.