A little Kipling for a rough day
Beyond the Substackverse
I’d heard parts of the poem If for years, but never in its entirety. I also didn’t realize this was written by my favorite poet, Rudyard Kipling. (I also love Danegeld1, and Gods of the Copybook Headings2).
My “more perfect” understanding of If came courtesy of an interview with Kathrine Birbalsingh on the Dad Saves America podcast. Today my eldest takes his ACCUPLACER test at community college. To say he has been nervous about this would be a gross understatement.
I’ve tried to prepare him with encouraging words like, “Look, son. Even if you were to utterly fail this test, that doesn’t mean you’re an utter failure at life. This is merely ONE assessment in a lifetime that’s going to be full of them. Just try to relax and do your best. God will take care of everything else.”
I’ll definitely be sharing If with him when he returns. I hope it blesses him…and you as well.
The Poem Reader channel, “Rudyard Kipling: Dane-geld A.D. 980-1016,” YouTube, April 19, 2021, video, 01:48.
Lotuseaters Dot Com channel, “The Rudyard Kipling Collection #4 | The Gods of the Copybook Headings,” YouTube, March 19, 2022, video, 05:12.
tia unpa channel, “rudyard kipling - gods of the copybook headings,” YouTube, April 19, 2017, video, 08:05.