OPPORTUNITY

[GordonJ]

I attended Edward Rowland Sill Jr. High School where we learned this poem by ER Sill:

The poem is called OPPORTUNITY.

This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:-
There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged
A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner
Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.
A craven hung along the battle's edge,
And thought, 'Had I a sword of keener steel-
That blue blade that the king's son bears,- but this
Blunt thing-!' He snapped and flung it from his hand,
And lowering crept away and left the field.
Then came the king's son, wounded sore bested,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shout
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down
And saved a great cause that heroic day.

[Dien Rice]

Originally Posted by GordonJ

I attended Edward Rowland Sill Jr. High School where we learned this poem by ER Sill:

The poem is called OPPORTUNITY.

This I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:-
There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged
A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner
Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.
A craven hung along the battle's edge,
And thought, 'Had I a sword of keener steel-
That blue blade that the king's son bears,- but this
Blunt thing-!' He snapped and flung it from his hand,
And lowering crept away and left the field.
Then came the king's son, wounded sore bested,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle-shout
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down
And saved a great cause that heroic day.

Thanks Gordon,

Great poem... with a great meaning!

"If only I had a..."

How many words of defeat started that way...

It is a victim's mindset!

The fact is, there are so many resources within your reach. The reason why is because you can include other people's resources too!

You can use another person's resources when you partner with them... or even use the resources of a supplier...

When you think this way, the potential resources within reach are limitless... Though you may have to work a little harder to access them, than if you already own them. However, it's doable!

There is a world of possibility out there... It's an amazing skill, which will transform your life, when you learn how to not be a victim, and how to use other people's resources...

Let me give you an example...

I have partnered (in one prospective business, we're still working on it) with a person who has extensive contacts in the world of investments and wealth (especially in China). I don't have those contacts myself! However, I bring marketing, writing, and "deal-making" skills to the table (skills I've developed over the last 15-20 years)... So, if we can get it to take off, it's a win/win kind of situation... And that's how it works!

Best wishes!

Dien

[GordonJ]

Died at 45, had poor health his last decade. Since his body of work is small, he is considered a "minor", albeit highly regarded poet.


If you are a "Meatloaf" fan (as I am), and you enjoy the Meat and Steinman collaboration, you'll note several Sill rhythms in the lyrics.

Example: from Sill's FORCE:
There's a blush on the apple,
A tint on the wing,
And the bright wind whistles,
And the pulses sting.

From MODERN GIRL:

There's a break in the chain,
there's a skip in the clock
Girl that's where I'm gonna find you

and

There's a clash on the border,
a flame in the sky
Girl that's where you're gonna find me


Well, anyhow, probably if I had gone to John Chapman Jr. High School, I'd be growing apples somewhere.

Gordon