Explore "It Might Have Been" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
We will be what we could be. Do not say, / "It might have been, had not or that, or this. " / No fate can keep us from the chosen way; / He only might, who _is_.
We will do what we could do. Do not dream / Chance leaves a hero, all uncrowned to grieve. / I hold, all men are greatly what they seem; / He does, who could achieve.
We will climb where we could climb. Tell me not / Of adverse storms that kept thee from the height. / What eagle ever missed the peak he sought? / He always climbs who might.
I do not like the phrase, "It might have been! " / It lacks all force, and life's best truths perverts / For I believe we have, and reach, and win, / Whatever our deserts.