Commentary on "If"

   I read a very nice, interesting poem. It felt as though Kipling was speaking to someone, rather than it being just a poem with rhymes and a heartfelt message. While it sent a message, the delivery was a bit like a lecture. The elements of the poem "If" were so secular-sounding and the speech was so modern; I never would have guessed that the poem was written over a century ago. At first, I really thought a slam poet wrote this. The rhythm at which I read it seemed so hexagonal --I don't know-- and topsy-turvy, making it so hard to believe that "If" was written such a long time ago. I find it real interesting how each stanza presents a different issue: the first stanza with chaos around, the second stanza with maintaining patience and dignity, the third on self-control, and the fourth promoting balance in every situation. The thing which tickled my fancy was the allusion in line 24 of "If": "Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'" It reminded me of the Holy Spirit, the One who sends jolts to my spirit to lead me where I go, much like the depiction in this poem! This poem encouraged me to think of how I would raise my children. I felt challenged to figure out how I would approach these kinds of issues and how to cope with them. The nice thing about "If" is how correct it is-- the message sent was respectable; nothing disturbed or offended the right things to do. In this day and age, millions are forgetting how to, in this case, be a good man-- or person in general. It seems as though back then, parents raised their children in ways that would make them successful and smart. Nowadays, parents are isolated from their children, and kids learn all by themselves and make their own decisions that aren't always smart. "If" has a great message for today's society, but the pity is that the message is put into less action than it ever has been. Apparently, nobody cares that their children are faced with self-doubt, and that they have no support system. Nobody takes into consideration that their children have goals for themselves, but they know no limits and give their hopes up only to fail and have no faith to get back up and try to achieve those dreams again. Nobody encourages perseverance for their kids; there is no concern for dignity. Nobody factors in that they have a son to raise, and that he is at risk of becoming a slouch due to lack of exhortation. This generation needs more of "If", because of all the value it has to give, especially is a day and age that struggles with want over morality. The thing about "If" which made it so inspiring was its truth throughout a whole century, and longer. After reading the poem, I saw influence for many people. If I saw the influence, others saw it, too!