<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><b>Can’t</b><div dir="ltr"><div><div><br></div><div>by Edgar Guest</div><div><br></div><div>Can’t is the worst word that’s written or spoken;</div><div>Doing more harm here than slander and lies;</div><div>On it is many a strong spirit broken,</div><div>And with it many a good purpose dies.</div><div>It springs from the lips of the thoughtless each morning</div><div>And robs us of courage we need through the day:</div><div>It rings in our ears like a timely-sent warning</div><div>And laughs when we falter and fall by the way.</div><div><br></div><div>Can’t is the father of feeble endeavor,</div><div>The parent of terror and half-hearted work;</div><div>It weakens the efforts of artisans clever,</div><div>And makes of the toiler an indolent shirk.</div><div>It poisons the soul of the man with a vision,</div><div>It stifles in infancy many a plan;</div><div>It greets honest toiling with open derision</div><div>And mocks at the hopes and the dreams of a man.</div><div><br></div><div>Can’t is a word none should speak without blushing;</div><div>To utter it should be a symbol of shame;</div><div>Ambition and courage it daily is crushing;</div><div>It blights a man’s purpose and shortens his aim.</div><div>Despise it with all of your hatred of error;</div><div>Refuse it the lodgment it seeks in your brain;</div><div>Arm against it as a creature of terror,</div><div>And all that you dream of you some day shall gain.</div><div><br></div><div>Can’t is the word that is foe to ambition,</div><div>An enemy ambushed to shatter your will;</div><div>Its prey is forever the man with a mission</div><div>And bows but to courage and patience and skill.</div><div>Hate it, with hatred that’s deep and undying,</div><div>For once it is welcomed ’twill break any man;</div><div>Whatever the goal you are seeking, keep trying</div><div>And answer this demon by saying: “I can.”</div></div><div><br></div>————————————————-<br><br><div dir="ltr"><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://www.MoscowCares.net</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><br></div><div>“A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met.”</div><div>- Roy E. Stolworthy</div><div></div></div></div></div></body></html>