"If. . ."

I just thought I'd step away from the goings-on at Harvard for a moment and share with you all one of my favorite poems.  This poem hung on my mother's bedroom wall when she was a girl. Just as her mother gave it to her, my mom gave it to me and so as I was growing up, the same framed poem in turn took up space on my wall.  It's based on Rudyard Kipling's "If," which is definitely worth reading as well, especially if you are a man or if you have sons (read it to them!). 

I hope that "'If' for Girls" by J.P. McEvoy reminds you of someone you know or even of yourself!  It certainly reminds me of all you modest women!

Enjoy:

"If" for Girls

If you can hear the whispering about you
And never yield to deal in whispers, too;
If you can bravely smile when loved ones doubt you
And never doubt, in turn, what loved ones do;
If you can keep a sweet and gentle spirit
In spite of fame or fortune, rank or place,
And though you win your goal or only near it,
Can win with poise or lose with equal grace;

If you can meet with Unbelief, believing,
And hallow in your heart, a simple creed,
If you can meet Deception, undeceiving,
And learn to look to God for all you need;
If you can be what girls should be to mothers:
Chums in joy and comrades in distress,
And be unto others as you'd have the others
Be unto you - - no more, and yet no less;

If you can keep within your heart the power
To say that firm, unconquerable "No,"
If you can brave a present shadowed hour
Rather than yield to build a future woe;
If you can love, yet not let loving master,
But keep yourself within your own self's clasp,
And not let Dreaming lead you to disaster
Nor Pity's fascination loose your grasp;

If you can lock your heart on confidences
Nor ever needlessly in turn confide;
If you can put behind you all pretenses
Of mock humility or foolish pride;
If you can keep the simple, homely virtue
Of walking right with God - - then have no fear
That anything in all the world can hurt you - -
And - - which is more - - you'll be a Woman, dear.

From the writings of J. P. McEvoy

Comments

[Jayme]

That is an excellent poem. Thank you so much.

[Iva]

That may not always be me, I'm not perfect, but that's who I'd like to be.

[Sharee]

Thank you for sharing this poem with everyone. I just came across a print with this poem in a local antique shop. I instantly fell in love and knew I must do as your mother had, hang it on the wall and then pass on to my daughter. Thank you-

[Melissa]

I, too, had this poem handed down to me. It was on my wall as I grew up and I put it on my daughter's wall. I eventually took it back as I was afraid she wouldn't appreciate it's importance to me and it would get discarded. My very old copy shows that the copyright is 1923.

[Deborah]

As a child in Portland, Maine, I was blessed to have "a maiden aunt," an unmarried woman who was a close family friend. She was an English teacher who believed both in the benefits of modesty and in memorization. I had to "earn" a framed copy of this beautiful poem by memorizing the words which I've begun to understand more fully as I've aged. Now, as an ordained minister, I am using this poem as a children's sermon and wondered if it was available on the Internet where 21st Century children could access it. Thank you for sharing it on line.

[Diane St. Cyr]

The poem "If for Girls" is both beautiful & inspiring. I actually sell copies of this poem in my shop in Vermont. The poem is printed on soft pink card stock ready for framing. Seated at the top of the print is a sweet Victorian girl framed in pink roses.

If you are interested in purchasing one of these prints, you may contact me at my address below. The print is available in in two sizes 6x8 for $10.00, 8x10 for $12.00. I can also do custom printing. This lovely poem is sure to become a treasured gift for a grand daughter or friend...for years to come.

Modesty truly is one of the "loveliest" graces of a virtuous woman.

Sincerely,
Diane St. Cyr
% Nellie Mays
P.O. Box 194
Underhill, Vermont 05489

[Diane St.Cyr]

After posting my comments about the poem "If For Girls" back in January of 2008, I was delighted to receive several requests for the poem. It was especially heart warming to hear from so many women who wanted to give the poem to their grand daughters:) I did discover that because of the unusual size of the original print, I could not make the normal 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10 copies. These are the sizes that I have available...6x3 3/4 for $4.50 7 1/2 x4 for $5.50 or 9 1/2 x 4 3/4 for $7.50. I also have bookmarks for $3.75 each. The poem is on card stock with a peachy/pink background with a lovely Victorian lady surrounded by roses at the top. If you would like to purchase one or more copies of this beautiful poem, you can contact me at Nellie Mays, P.O. Box 194, Underhill, Vermont 05489. Please include your address & phone number, so that I can get back in touch with you. If you have an e-mail address, please include it & I will respond immediately:)

[Leone M. Krohn]

I am interested in the If for Girls poem ready to be framed in the 7 1/2 x 4 size.

[Diane St.Cyr]

I have not been on this site for quite some time and just noticed your note about the poem "If For Girls" Please write to me at the above address. Include an e-mail address or phone number & I will get in touch with you ASAP.

Thanks,
Diane

[Mary Anne]

I have a 1926 book "If for Girls" --- what is it's value?

[maplestory mesos]

I have not been on this site for quite some time and just noticed your note about the poem "If For Girls" Please write to me at the above address..

[ffxiv gil]

I have not been on this site for quite some time and just noticed your note about the poem "If For Girls" Please write to me at the above address..

[ffxiv gil]

I have a 1926 book "If for Girls" --- what is it's value?

[Doddee]

I believe I received a card with this poem in it when I graduated from high school decades ago. I recently looked up Kipling's original "If" and found that to be inspiring as well.

I am so glad this beautiful poem and the original are now so easily available on the internet. It wouldn't hurt to read them both once a week!

[kim]

I have the original poem in the original frame, is there any value?

[Jean Tartsinis]

I have the book "If for Girls" in its original box.
Could you tell me its value?

Thank you

[Vicki C. Remington]

I am very interested in purchasing "If" for girls. I would like it framed. It will be a high school graduation gift.
Please contact me as soon as you can to give me more information.
My name is Vicki C. Remington
and my e-mail is: vcr127@cox.net
Thanks so very much.

[V. Ruth Williams]

Hello Everyone,

I have "If for Girls" in a Hallmark card that I received when I graduated from high school in 1962. Yes, it's 50 years old and well preserved.

[Diane St.Cyr]

After posting my comments about the poem "If For Girls" back in January of 2008, I was delighted to receive several requests for the poem. It was especially heart warming to hear from so many women who wanted to give the poem to their grand daughters:) I have prints in the following sizes: 6x3 3/4 for $4.50 7 1/2 x4 for $5.50 or 9 1/2 x 4 3/4 for $7.50. I also have bookmarks for $3.75 each. The poem is on card stock with a peachy/pink background with a lovely Victorian lady surrounded by roses at the top. If you would like to purchase one or more copies of this beautiful poem, you can contact me at Nellie Mays, P.O. Box 194, Underhill, Vermont 05489. Please include your address & phone number, so that I can get back in touch with you. If you have an e-mail address, please include it & I will respond immediately:)

[Dorie Twiford]

My name is Dorie Twiford, and I also received this card when I graduated in 1961. I am interested in purchasing three for my granddaughters.
Two are graduating this year.