The People’s Poet: Edgar Guest’s Message to Keep Going and Keep Believing

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Edgar Albert Guest was an American poet who resonated with the common person, earning him the affectionate title of "The People's Poet." His verses were simple, heartfelt, and relatable, often celebrating themes of home, family, and everyday struggles. By 1916, his popularity had soared, and he began publishing collections of his poetry. His first book, Home Rhymes, quickly became a bestseller.

Guest's career began humbly as a copyboy at the Detroit Free Press at the age of fourteen. His knack for writing quicklybecame apparent, and he was soon promoted to reporter. It wasn't long before his poetic talent found a place in the newspaper. In 1898, Guest's first poem was published, marking the start of a prolific writing career.

Among his many works, one poem that stands out is It Couldn't Be Done, which perfectly encapsulates his optimistic and encouraging style:

It Couldn't Be Done

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 that;
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 quiddit,
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.

It Couldn't Be Done is a wonderful motivational piece that celebrates resilience, determination, and optimism—everything the word can’t seeks to stamp out. The poem's central message is to encourage individuals to face challenges head-on with a positive attitude and to prove naysayers wrong through action and perseverance.

The poem begins with a character confidently singing as he tackles something presumed impossible. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, emphasizing the power of optimism and effort in overcoming obstacles. The repetition of phrases like "There are thousands" highlights the prevalence of doubters and pessimists in our lives—those who predict failure and emphasize risks. Despite their warnings, the protagonist chooses to approach the challenge with "a bit of a grin" and a determination to succeed.

Guest's use of simple, rhythmic language and repetition reinforces the poem's theme of persistence. It acts as a call to action, urging readers to disregard negative voices and take initiative. The advice to "buckle in with a bit of a grin" and"just start in to sing" serves as a metaphor for maintaining a positive outlook and finding joy in the process of tackling difficult tasks.

Ultimately, the poem asserts that many seemingly impossible tasks can be accomplished with the right mindset and effort. The protagonist's success in doing "the thing that couldn’t be done" stands as a testament to the power of courage, hard work, and unwavering belief in oneself.

It Couldn't Be Done is an uplifting and empowering poem that encourages readers to defy expectations and approach challenges with confidence and cheerfulness. It serves as a reminder that many of life's obstacles can be overcome with perseverance and a positive attitude.

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