The “Don't Quit” poem is a beautiful, inspirational, motivational poem and has always been one of my favorite poems. But who is the real author of the poem?


I have a keychain from the C.M. Paula Company with this poem on it, sadly there is no author mentioned on the keychain.

Several authors over the past years have claimed to have written this poem. There was a similar poem written by Edgar Albert Guest between August 20, 1881 and August 5,1959.

I performed a Google search and came across several web sites that have published the poem. Each website lists a different name. Among the names are Edgar A Guest, kristone, Larry S. Chengges, Rick Frutell, Leo Padgett , Joe David Harrison, Sam Candelaria, Clinton Howell, Frank Collins and Gerard Haughey . One of Todays-Woman.net previous members even made a claim that they were the author of this poem. It is unbelievable how many websites have a different author listed.

One website states that Clinton Howell published this poem in Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul, September 1, 1999.

Gerard Haughey claims to be the real author of the poem. He is on a mission of sorts, to get the truth out about the poem. He says, “I am very proud of writing '”Don't Quit,” a bit sad that others have to claimed to have, but over all I have made my peace with God and if I'm helping the many people who've been touched by 'Don't Quit' well then I am on good terms with God.” He has even registered a domain, , in his mission to prove that he is the author of this poem.

But wait, one website states that Rick Frutell wrote the poem while in seventh grade.

I even found this poem on a poster at art.com < http://www.art.com/asp/sp -asp/_/pd--10058424/sp--A/Dont_Quit.htm# >. You can purchase this poem on a pocket card < http://shop.store.yahoo.com/thebcmall/ 11-30638.html > through Yahoo Shop.

After further research, I did find a website that states that the US Copyright Office recognizes the poem as public domain. The Copyright Act will not restore protection to works that fall into the public domain. Anyone can use this poem but can not own copyright to it.

On most websites the author is listed as Anonymous and that is because the real author of this beautiful poem is sadly and will always be unknown.

This following poem, I have on a keychain that I purchased in my early teens. I look to it when I need inspiration. It reminds me that though life might not always turn out as we have planned, we mustn't quit. I hope that it inspires you too.

Don't Quit!

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but do not quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Anonymous -

Resources:

< http://www.angelicinspirations.com/page8 4.htm>
<http://www.geocities.com /dont_quit_anonymous/joedavidharrison.htm>

About the Author
Rose DesRochers
http://www.todays-woman.net
Rose is a published author and web columnist. She is also the founder of Today's Woman a supportive online community for men and women over 18. Their goal is to help writers succeed in the writing industry by offering a useful selection of services including author interviews, regular columns, interactive forums, and a place to share your writing for critique by your peers.