I’m so glad many of us enjoyed the very succinct and on-topic poem yesterday. I was glad I’d come across it. Amos Russel Wells is actually a new-to-me poet as well; he was a professor of Greek and geology at for the first part of his professional career, and ended it as editor of a religious magazine. He was also a fairly dedicated Sunday School teacher, and apparently loved children. His book, Rollicking Rhymes for Youngsters, first published in 1902, is where today’s poem comes from. You can see the Sunday School teacher/hymn writer in this verse.
“Lost” Opportunities
Many words are lightly tossed,
Only cowards mind them,
Opportunities are “lost” –
Rouse yourself, and find them!
Some are lost for aye and aye,
But the most are hiding –
*Cars the switch has found are they
Take them from the siding!*
Past is past, the chance is gone? –
Up, and follow after!
Many a noble race is run
Despite sneers and laughter.
Opportunities are “lost”?
Aren’t there legs behind them?
Boldly run, nor count the cost,
Speed until you find them!
*”Cars the switch has lost” refers to train cars that are shunted to a different track when the switch is thrown.
This is a sort of bracing hope that is really old-fashioned and brought to you by people who lived through wars and upheaval and didn’t have time for self-pity. No such thing as opportunities “lost,” to them… just a need to be up and doing. Here’s to that bracing, gingery, spit and vinegar.