Never Say Die

Have you ever wanted to cry?
to curl up and fall down and die?
While dozens prosper, thousands cry out.
No burden has equal; no measure for doubt.
To each his heart is heaviest.
To each, her world shall end.

Have you ever wanted to try?
against the odds and the best wishes of friends
and given your all in spite of it all
only to try and to cry and to learn why
just why it is you shouldn't have tried?

Have you ever been broken
by the machine of mankind
daunted by hoplessness where you had hoped
to find hope in the hearts of your brethren,
and carried on without strength,
because you knew no other way?

Have you ever wanted to die?
Have you had a broken heart,
and fallen down and raised your hands to the sky
and cried: "Why! Just what is the thing that is keeping me here?"
and remembered the first night that you spent
away from your home, alone, and gone on in spite of the fear?

Have you ever raised your head?
In spite of pain and sickness and especially in spite of dread,
Have you ever looked in the eye of your foe just to show
exactly what it is you have to lose?
Nothing. Everything. You cannot give up.
Have you ever said, "Never say die"?