I wonder why I try sometimes,
I always seem to fail.
Dust down, get up and try again
Ambitions soon grow frail.
The more you want,
The more you try,
The more that failure stings.
Failure’s such a wicked monster
Waiting in the wings.
Always set to pounce with glee
When things don’t go quite right,
Rubbing hands and giggling
As ambitions past take flight.
Do I set myself up to fail?
For I do it so well.
Do I see failure in success?
Perhaps. I just can’t tell…
Pooky's Poems 
Really enjoyed the rhyming scheme on this and the pacing. I cant imagine you being a failure, though.
LikeLike
Thank you.
It is possible that I have unrealistically high standards of success…
How are you doing now? I’ve been quietly worrying about you x
LikeLike
Thats is a good thing to have, as you will always strive to improve, but you have to remember just taking the time to set goals and decide to work towards them is a success in itself. Its not always about achieving them but about taking the courage to attempt them.
Im ok(ish) lol have ups and downs, more downs of late due to some things going on, but im still here 😀 and i really do appreciate your concern, it is very kind and heart warming.
Hope you are ok. x
LikeLike
I’m sorry to hear you’ve got tough stuff going on. I hope that things move on and the highs start to outnumber the lows soon. Thinking of you x
LikeLike
Thank you, unfortunately i think it shall get worse before it gets better…but im hoping and waiting for the better bit 🙂 x
LikeLike
Oh dear. That’s not good at all…. I’m glad you can see a positive end somewhere in the future though.
LikeLike
No but i kind of know what to expect and whats in store so can mentally prepare as best i can.
LikeLike
Hm… okay. Thinking of you. Wish I could help x
LikeLike
Thank you, not one of those things anyone can help with really, just gotta ride it out. x
LikeLike
Good luck. Hold on tight. x
LikeLike
I enjoyed the rhyming, too, Pooky, and I have definitely felt your words, as well! 🙂
LikeLike
I think we all feel that way sometimes… Thank you – I hope all is well with you x
LikeLike
Doing great and catching up on your blog a little! xx 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you and glad to hear you are well x
LikeLike
When I was in therapy years ago, one of my biggest issues was that I said I had a fear of failure. My key worker suggested I may well have a fear of success rather than one of failure. It gave me a great deal to think about…
LikeLike
Now that really is food for thought – where did your thoughts lead you???
LikeLike
I had to keep it with me for a long time before I could see he was actually right. Then acting upon the realisation came very gradually. One of the actual outcomes was the beginning of poetry writing and daring to share it. I no longer think or believe that each poem I write needs to be better than the last one. Now that’s a huge step forward for me! This is just one example of course. X
LikeLike
It sounds like it was a really useful process which helped you to move forwards.
LikeLike
Hi Pooky, I read this poem and I was reminded of a speech I gave to my senior students recently in which I made the statement that resilience it isn’t necessarily the fact you get up after a failure but the speed with which you get up and try again. We can so easy get caught up in failure, and we all do it, but there are often people around us who rely on us to step up again.
LikeLike
You’re so right… The tough thing is when you keep trying and you keep failing (or at least not succeeding as well as you’d like…) That said, success is all the sweeter when it’s hard won I guess.
LikeLike
Your students are so lucky to have you.
LikeLike
A beautiful message. A lot of truth.
LikeLike
Thanks x
LikeLike
Failure is only a failure if you never try again but I don’t think that’s you =)
LikeLike
There is no innovation and creativity without failure. I just read that quote from Brene Brown and find her words very encouraging.
Lovely poem. ‘Do I see failure in success’ is interesting. 🙂
LikeLike
That is a great, and thought provoking quote; thank you for sharing it.
I sometimes feel I set out to sabbotage myself and can always see imperfections even in success… think that’s where that line came from – it was quite literal.
LikeLike
Whoops, she did it again! Haha, I don’t know where these come from Pooky, but keep it up. Whether you see success or failure, perhaps it is just in the DOING that really matters. Therefore success is in the doing rather than the result. I guess this does not generally apply academically, but in creativity I think so.
Your poems all speak to me in a particular voice (I guess it is how I imagine you to sound?) and it always brings a smile to my face, whatever the topic.
You must have had your sparkly purple fedora on writing this, because I am now inspired to mould into shape a related piece.
LikeLike
Peter, you really make me smile. Thank you.
I felt very down on writing this, a day when minor disappointments felt like earth shattering failures. I’m finding that writing can be a great outlet – it’s almost like I can box up those emotions and parcel them off?
I like your notion of DOING being the success – and in general I do think you’re right. Absolutely. It’s hard to remember that some days and the perfectionist in me certainly won’t accept the idea that it’s the taking part that counts!
LikeLike
Well I’m finding this a great balm for my own perfectionism – being happy with just doing writing. And afterwards maybe making assessments of the type of writing. I really like your concept of writing poetry enabling us to package up the emotions and send them on their way! A good technique/habit to keep up.
My concern in years gone by was the need to have my feelings acknowledged by someone, to enable me to move on from them. Having found so many similar souls here that do so through feedback has been wonderful, and I am very grateful for you all.
LikeLike
It’s a wonderful place isn’t it? I’m glad so many people have found your blog and share their thoughts with you, your words are beautiful and thought provoking. I’m glad we stumbled across one another. x
LikeLike
Also very please to make your acquaintance! (virtually)
LikeLike
🙂 *tips her purple, sparkly fedora at Peter*
LikeLike
Failure is nothing
but a disguise
success takes on
to justify itself
while being
fashionably late… 😉
So don’t give up!
LikeLike
OH I love this!
Wise words indeed and so beautifully put. I need to print this and frame it.
LikeLike
=D
LikeLike
Pingback: Success Failure Publication | Writing the roads of grief
Pooky, as so often happens, your poem stirred up much within me. Too much for a comment, so I’ve posted my thoughts on my blog with a link back to this poem. The link follows. I’ll repost the two poems I’ve mentioned on my blog over the next couple of days.
Your poetry is powerful and thought provoking. I like Peter’s comment – ‘perhaps it is just in the DOING that really matters’.
http://triciabertram.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/success-failure-publication/
LikeLike
Thank you Tricia – I’m touched that you felt compelled to blog a response (hurrah, new words for me to read on your blog!)
I too think Peter has a very good point… though it can be hard to see it that way on some days I find.
LikeLike
Your poem is certainly not a failure! Perhaps it is better to use the word disappointment rather than failure? The latter is more a personal judgement and the former just says something did not go as well as desired! Either way though those feelings are part of the human condition and most especially part of the creative temperament. Let the disappointments be buildings blocks for terrific future growth as an artist. Thanks for sharing the well said poem!
LikeLike
I think you’re right. Some days I can take disappointments on the chin. Other days the same things can feel like insurmountable failures..
LikeLike