• Submit Poetry
  • Support SCP
  • About Us
  • Members
  • Join
Friday, January 9, 2026
Society of Classical Poets
  • Poems
    • Beauty
    • Culture
    • Satire
    • Humor
    • Children’s
    • Art
    • Ekphrastic
    • Epic
    • Epigrams and Proverbs
    • Human Rights in China
    • Music
    • Performing Arts
    • Riddles
    • Science
    • Song Lyrics
    • The Environment
    • The Raven
    • Found Poems
    • High School Poets
    • Terrorism
    • Covid-19
  • Poetry Forms
    • Sonnet
    • Haiku
    • Limerick
    • Villanelle
    • Rondeau
    • Pantoum
    • Sestina
    • Triolet
    • Acrostic
    • Alexandroid
    • Alliterative
    • Blank Verse
    • Chant Royal
    • Clerihew
    • Rhupunt
    • Rondeau Redoublé
    • Rondel
    • Rubaiyat
    • Sapphic Verse
    • Shape Poems
    • Terza Rima
  • Great Poets
    • Geoffrey Chaucer
    • Emily Dickinson
    • Homer
    • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
    • Dante Alighieri
    • John Keats
    • John Milton
    • Edgar Allan Poe
    • William Shakespeare
    • William Wordsworth
    • William Blake
    • Robert Frost
  • Love Poems
  • Contests
  • SCP Academy
    • Educational
    • Teaching Classical Poetry—A Guide for Educators
    • Poetry Forms
    • The SCP Journal
    • Books
No Result
View All Result
Society of Classical Poets
  • Poems
    • Beauty
    • Culture
    • Satire
    • Humor
    • Children’s
    • Art
    • Ekphrastic
    • Epic
    • Epigrams and Proverbs
    • Human Rights in China
    • Music
    • Performing Arts
    • Riddles
    • Science
    • Song Lyrics
    • The Environment
    • The Raven
    • Found Poems
    • High School Poets
    • Terrorism
    • Covid-19
  • Poetry Forms
    • Sonnet
    • Haiku
    • Limerick
    • Villanelle
    • Rondeau
    • Pantoum
    • Sestina
    • Triolet
    • Acrostic
    • Alexandroid
    • Alliterative
    • Blank Verse
    • Chant Royal
    • Clerihew
    • Rhupunt
    • Rondeau Redoublé
    • Rondel
    • Rubaiyat
    • Sapphic Verse
    • Shape Poems
    • Terza Rima
  • Great Poets
    • Geoffrey Chaucer
    • Emily Dickinson
    • Homer
    • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
    • Dante Alighieri
    • John Keats
    • John Milton
    • Edgar Allan Poe
    • William Shakespeare
    • William Wordsworth
    • William Blake
    • Robert Frost
  • Love Poems
  • Contests
  • SCP Academy
    • Educational
    • Teaching Classical Poetry—A Guide for Educators
    • Poetry Forms
    • The SCP Journal
    • Books
No Result
View All Result
Society of Classical Poets
No Result
View All Result
Home Poetry Beauty

‘Until You Try’: A Poem by Michael Charles Maibach

November 9, 2023
in Beauty, Culture, Poetry
A A
10
poems 'Until You Try': A Poem by Michael Charles Maibach

.

Until You Try

“You’ll never know
Until you try…”
Make this mindset
Your battle cry!

Your first few steps,
A paper route.
Try out for sports.
Doors all about!

Reach out your hand,
And make a friend,
And when you fail,
Make true amends.

A summer job,
A new book read,
A question asked,
New paths ahead.

Apply to college;
Roommates choose.
Ask more of self
In all you do.

Apply to work
With those admired.
Find causes true,
Goals now desired.

Ask her to meet
For your first date.
The worth of love,
Don’t underrate.

Then say “I do”
To wedding vows.
Make rich the life
That they allow.

Bring forth a child,
Your lasting gift.
Embrace new friends,
Their spirits lift!

What friends around
Need your advice?
Take steps to help
Those on thin ice.

Run for office,
And take a stand.
Enlist to fight,
And take command!

Keep in mind
Those souls alone.
Reach out to them,
Invite them home.

Write a poem,
Or write a book.
With just your words
Enhance outlooks.

And trust in God
When end times near.
With gifts well used
Grace will appear.

“You’ll never know
Until you try…”
A way of life—
Your battle cry!

.

.

Michael Charles Maibach began writing poems at age nine.  Since then he has continued writing poems, and sharing them with friends.  His career has involved global business diplomacy.  He is a native of Peoria, Illinois.  Today Michael resides in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.  More of his poems are found at www.MaibachPoems.us or on Facebook.

ShareTweetPin
The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary.
Read Our Comments Policy Here
Next Post
‘Carving Fingers’: A Poem by Daniel Kemper

'Carving Fingers': A Poem by Daniel Kemper

‘Returning Soldiers’: An Armistice Day Poem by Paul A. Freeman

'Returning Soldiers': An Armistice Day Poem by Paul A. Freeman

Real War Stories, Retold in Poetry by James A. Tweedie

Real War Stories, Retold in Poetry by James A. Tweedie

Comments 10

  1. Paul A. Freeman says:
    2 years ago

    I’m still trying, Michael. I’m still trying.

    Thanks for an uplifting read that puts life in perspective.

    Reply
  2. Russel Winick says:
    2 years ago

    Quite enjoyable, Michael. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Roy Eugene Peterson says:
    2 years ago

    This is an uplifting poem that challenges everyone to not only take advantage of the good life, but aim for higher things regardless of the outcome. At least one has tried.

    Reply
  4. James Sale says:
    2 years ago

    A great and heart-felt battlecry worthy of you, Michael – thanks!!!

    Reply
  5. Geoffrey Smagacz says:
    2 years ago

    Well put, home-spun wisdom. But in some quarters you could be deemed a heretic! Reminds me of that Chesterton quote: “We shall soon be in a world in which a man may be howled down for saying that two and two make four, in which furious party cries will be raised against anybody who says that cows have horns, in which people will persecute the heresy of calling a triangle a three-sided figure, and hang a man for maddening mob with the news that grass is green.”― G.K. Chesterton

    Reply
    • Joshua C. Frank says:
      2 years ago

      In many ways, we’re already there, especially with regard to gender, faith, family, race, the right to life, and all those topics that could only be controversial in such an evil world as today’s.

      Reply
  6. Cheryl Corey says:
    2 years ago

    Very inspirational, Michael, and so very true.

    Reply
  7. Hari Hyde says:
    2 years ago

    Delightful poem. I wish I would’ve devoured every morsel of advice on this list. I’m reminded of the 1900 poem by Frank L. Stanton, “Keep a-Goin’.” I can’t get that poem out of my head, and I’ll remember this one too.

    Reply
  8. Daniel Kemper says:
    2 years ago

    An important message. I like poems like these to remind me to, “Drive on!” and not be discouraged.

    Reply
  9. Joshua C. Frank says:
    2 years ago

    I like it. Each idea is short, sweet, and to the point, and the overall tone is encouraging and uplifting. Well done!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Adam Sedia on ‘Legacy of Light’: A Poem by Martin BriggsJanuary 9, 2026

    I love both the metaphor and the message of this poem. Your stars are not those of mythology, but of…

  2. Adam Sedia on ‘A Gift from the South’: A Poem by Julian WoodruffJanuary 9, 2026

    I enjoy the internal speculation given in verse form here (the Chicago weatherman is an apt illustration for the fickle…

  3. Paul Buchheit on ‘Encounter with My Dead Father’: A Poem by Scharlie MeeuwsJanuary 9, 2026

    Very thought-provoking poem, Scharlie. I read it three times, each time being drawn closer to the mood and the setting.

  4. Adam Sedia on ‘Encounter with My Dead Father’: A Poem by Scharlie MeeuwsJanuary 9, 2026

    This is an incredibly engaging work. You masterfully depict a ghostly, ethereal scene, with visions of the dead and a…

  5. Julian D. Woodruff on ‘The Measure of a Woman (or a Man)’ and Other Poetry by Paul A. FreemanJanuary 9, 2026

    Good, Paul--both. In the last line of the 1st, you could go on (not to say should!): the "go's transitory…

Receive Poems in Your Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,620 other subscribers
Facebook Twitter Youtube

Recent Poems

  • ‘The Measure of a Woman (or a Man)’ and Other Poetry by Paul A. Freeman
  • ‘Encounter with My Dead Father’: A Poem by Scharlie Meeuws
  • Two Sonnets by Nino Martoglio, Translated by Joseph S. Salemi
  • ‘Wall of Ice’ and Other Poetry by James Bontrager
  • ‘King of Poets’: A Poem by Margaret Coats
  • ‘Watercolors’: A Poem by Susan Steele Rives
  • ‘Art and Nature’ and Other Poetry by C.B. Anderson
  • ‘Star of Wonder’: A Poem by James A. Tweedie
  • ‘Yeonmi Park’s Advice to Americans’: A Poem by Warren Bonham
  • ‘Caravaggio’: A Poem by Lisa J. Roberts
  • ‘Refrigerator Bird’ and Other Poetry by Armaan Fatteh-Patil
  • ‘The Oak Trees’: A Poem by Bhikkhu Nyanasobhano
  • ‘A Cardinal on a Snowy Day’: A Poem by Rob Fried
  • Poets Susan Jarvis Bryant and James Sale Respond to Mamdani’s Swearing In as NYC Mayor
  • ‘Single Room Cigarette, 17th Floor Yale Club of Manhattan’: A Poem by Alec Ream
  • ‘Legacy of Light’: A Poem by Martin Briggs
  • ‘The Swarm’ and Other Poetry by Cheryl Corey
  • ‘Lament of a Poet Falsely Accused of Using AI’ and Other Poetry by Paul Buchheit
  • ‘A Gift from the South’: A Poem by Julian Woodruff
  • ‘New Year’s Peeve’: A Poem by Susan Jarvis Bryant
  • ‘Homage to Brigitte Bardot’: A Poem by Joseph S. Salemi
  • ‘Dearth of Emotional Intelligence’ and Other Poems by Russel Winick
  • ‘Fireflies’: A Poem by Mark Stellinga
  • ‘Real Poetry’: A Poem by Eric v.d. Luft
  • ‘Flaws’: A Poem by Joshua Thomas
  • Two Final Poems by Sally Cook
  • ‘Twelve Labors More, Part I’: A Poem by Evan Mantyk
  • ‘A Perfect Match is Found’: A Poem by Roy E. Peterson
  • ‘The Seven Crossings’: A Poem by Ulysses Arlen
  • ‘An Open Book’ and Other Poetry by David McMahon

Categories

  • Acrostic
  • Alexandroid
  • Alliterative
  • Art
  • Best Poems
  • Blank Verse
  • Chant Royal
  • Classical Poets Live
  • Clerihew
  • Covid-19
  • Deconstructing Communism
  • Educational
  • Epic
  • Epigrams and Proverbs
  • Essays
    • Interviews with Poets
    • Poetry Reviews
  • Featured
  • From the Society
  • Great Poets
    • Dante Alighieri
    • Edgar Allan Poe
    • Emily Dickinson
    • Geoffrey Chaucer
    • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
    • Homer
    • John Keats
    • John Milton
    • Robert Frost
    • William Blake
    • William Shakespeare
    • William Wordsworth
  • Human Rights in China
  • Limerick
  • Love Poems
  • Music
  • Pantoum
  • Performing Arts
  • Poetry
    • Beauty
    • Children's Poems
    • Culture
    • Ekphrastic
    • Found Poems
    • High School Poets
    • Humor
    • Riddles
  • Poetry Challenge
  • Poetry Contests
  • Poetry Forms
    • Haiku
  • Poetry Readings
  • Rhupunt
  • Rondeau
  • Rondeau Redoublé
  • Rondel
  • Rubaiyat
  • Sapphic Verse
  • Satire
  • Science
  • Sestina
  • Shape Poems
  • Short Stories
  • Song Lyrics
  • Sonnet
  • Symposium
  • Terrorism
  • Terza Rima
  • The Environment
  • Translation
  • Triolet
  • Video
  • Villanelle

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Submit Poetry
  • Become a Member
  • Members List
  • Support the Society
  • Advertisement Placement
  • Comments Policy
  • Terms of Use

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Poems
    • Beauty
    • Culture
    • Satire
    • Humor
    • Children’s
    • Art
    • Ekphrastic
    • Epic
    • Epigrams and Proverbs
    • Human Rights in China
    • Music
    • Performing Arts
    • Riddles
    • Science
    • Song Lyrics
    • The Environment
    • The Raven
    • Found Poems
    • High School Poets
    • Terrorism
    • Covid-19
  • Poetry Forms
    • Sonnet
    • Haiku
    • Limerick
    • Villanelle
    • Rondeau
    • Pantoum
    • Sestina
    • Triolet
    • Acrostic
    • Alexandroid
    • Alliterative
    • Blank Verse
    • Chant Royal
    • Clerihew
    • Rhupunt
    • Rondeau Redoublé
    • Rondel
    • Rubaiyat
    • Sapphic Verse
    • Shape Poems
    • Terza Rima
  • Great Poets
    • Geoffrey Chaucer
    • Emily Dickinson
    • Homer
    • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
    • Dante Alighieri
    • John Keats
    • John Milton
    • Edgar Allan Poe
    • William Shakespeare
    • William Wordsworth
    • William Blake
    • Robert Frost
  • Love Poems
  • Contests
  • SCP Academy
    • Educational
    • Teaching Classical Poetry—A Guide for Educators
    • Poetry Forms
    • The SCP Journal
    • Books

© 2025 SCP. WebDesign by CODEC Prime.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.