Speech to the young

SPEECH TO THE YOUNG, SPEECH TO THE PROGRESS-TOWARD

by Gwendolyn Brooks

 Say to them,
 say to the down-keepers,

3 the sun-slappers,

 the self-soilers,
 the harmony-hushers,

6 "Even if you are not ready for day it cannot always be night."

 You will be right.
 For that is the hard home-run.

9 Live not for battles won.

 Live not for the-end-of-the-song.
 Live in the along.