Classic Poem

The coddled youth, like greenhouse plant
Will wilt and die in desert sand,
Can never meet the storms of life,
Untried and mild and soft his hands.

He walks within the favored nooks,
Protected there much more than those,
Who meet the challenge face ahead,
And struggle on to conquer foes.

They learn to take the gaff and thrust,
And from an inner courage gain
A faith in toil and love of truth;
They pray to God to ease the pain.