16 Poems About Failure

Let these poems about failure encourage and motivate you. We all face failures in life at one time or another, the difference is how we deal with them, and our attitude toward the thing that we call failure.

May these poems give you the inspiration to learn all you can from a failure or an unsuccessful attempt, so that you can move forward with new knowledge.

Short Poems & Quotes   /   Poems Of Encouragement    /   Poems About Failure

  1. Failure Can Be Tough
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

    Failure can be tough,
    The losses more than enough.
    But stand up right away,
    Smile and don't feel betray.

    Though it may seem unfair,
    Don't give up, don't despair.
    The outcome ain't set in stone,
    So stay strong and apply what is now known.

    Let failure guide your progress,
    New ways to assess.
    Look at what has failed and ask
    How do I move forward with this task?

    So, never let failure take away
    From your end goal don't stray.
    Shed no tears but find the energy
    Don't let failure be a penalty.



  2. don't quit poem
    Don't Quit Poem


  3. Life's Failures
    Poet: Julie Hebert, © 2011

    In life we will have failures, always wishing we had waivers,
    To take back what we've just done.
    So take some time, to sit and unwind,
    So you can see what you've learned from.

    It may be something small, maybe even smaller than a doll,
    Something that not everyone else would see,
    But the important part is, that you take the quiz,
    To learn something that's within thee.

    So why don't we just let, failures be the threat,
    Because failure is more than just that.
    If we can allow ourselves to see, that failure is a key,
    Our next attempt may have a better chance at.

    So start to change your mind, that a failure can be kind,
    If we allow ourselves to learn from it.
    No more shall a failure bring, unhappiness to him
    As it's now one less failure to submit.



  4. Attitude Poems
    Attitude Poems


  5. Failure's Crushing Blow
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

    In failure's crushing blow we find our strength to grow,
    Experience in its wake from which to learn.
    None can guarantee destiny plays no prank,
    Never let go of failure lessons earned.

    No man ever succeeds on his first attempt;
    Roll with the haymakers and do not despair.
    Even if you stumble on the way you went,
    Look back and see – truly failure's best thing there!



  6. Poems on Life Lessons
    Poems on Life Lessons


  7. Take Courage
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

    Look not upon your failures and their hurdles high,
    Take courage for this time, for the time shall pass by,
    Do not be discouraged if you're stuck in a bind,
    Observe what is before you, and gather your mind.

    Learn from the mistakes that taught us not to fret,
    Grow onwards ever onwards with each hard fought step.
    Your inner strength and wisdom will now be tested true,
    With courage and confidence set off anew.



  8. courage poems
    Courage Poems


  9. If At First . . .
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

    If at first, you don't succeed,
    Take a deep breath, wipe away your tears,
    Don't let failure shake you off your feet.
    Achieving goals, at times, is no easy feat.

    Fear not the outcome, stand proud and tall,
    Lift yourself up for another try and above all,
    No matter how hard it might be,
    Never give up because success you may see!



  10. never give up poem
    Never Give Up Poem


  11. Suggestion
    By Clifford Greve


    To believe the song of the failures
    In a land where good men have won
    Is casting your lot with the losers;
    And doing what they have done.

    To listen and learn from the winners,
    Is winning yourself — their stake!
    You need not fear the advice you hear
    But beware whose advice you take!



  12. poems about winning
    Poems About Winning


  13. The Real Successes
    Poet: Edgar A. Guest

    You think that the failures are many,
    You think the successes are few,
    But you judge by the rule of the penny,
    And not by the good that men do.
    You judge men by standards of treasure
    That merely obtain upon earth,
    When the brother you're snubbing may measure
    Full-length to God's standard of worth.

    The failures are not in the ditches,
    The failures are not in the ranks,
    They have missed the acquirement of riches,
    Their fortunes are not in the banks.
    Their virtues are never paraded,
    Their worth is not always in view,
    But they're fighting their battles unaided,
    And fighting them honestly, too.

    There are failures to-day in high places
    The failures aren't all in the low;
    There are rich men with scorn in their faces
    Whose homes are but castles of woe.
    The homes that are happy are many,
    And numberless fathers are true;
    And this is the standard, if any,
    By which we must judge what men do.

    Wherever loved ones are awaiting
    The toiler to kiss and caress,
    Though in Bradstreet's he hasn't a rating,
    He still is a splendid success.
    If the dear ones who gather about him
    And know what he's striving to do
    Have never a reason to doubt him,
    Is he less successful than you?

    You think that the failures are many,
    You judge by men's profits in gold;
    You judge by the rule of the penny--
    In this true success isn't told.
    This falsely man's story is telling,
    For wealth often brings on distress,
    But wherever love brightens a dwelling,
    There lives; rich or poor, a success.



  14. When your dreams have failed you - Dream again
    Try Try Again Poem


  15. Dream Again
    Poet: Patience Strong

    When your dreams have failed you -
    Dream again...
    When you think you're beaten -
    Dream again...

    Failure cannot break your heart -
    Life's a game, so play your part -
    Dare to make another start.
    Dream again...

    Next time you'll be stronger - wiser too -
    Think of all the things you meant to do -
    Keep the glory of the goal in view -
    and dream again...

    Do not heed the world, its taunts and jeers -
    Lift your eyes and face the coming years -
    All great things are bought with human tears -
    So dream again.



  16. motivational poems
    Motivational Poems


  17. A Chance To Learn
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer


    Failure is a bitter pill to swallow,
    But embedded within is hope for tomorrow,
    Conflicts may arise, testing our might,
    Yet failure fuels the fire to set things right.

    With each stumble and misstep, we take,
    Conflict confronts us, our foundations quake,
    But accepting failure as a chance to learn,
    We find the strength within to overturn.

    From the ashes of defeat, resilience springs,
    Conflict's challenge ignites our hidden wings,
    We rise above, refusing to remain,
    Trapped within the prison of fear's domain.

    Failure is but a stepping stone,
    To an eventual triumph yet unknown,
    For conflict in the face of failure's reign,
    Only strengthens our resolve to rise again.


  18. "A Chance To Learn" reminds us that facing failure is a part of the journey. Yeah, it might sting a bit, but embedded in those setbacks is the potential for a brighter tomorrow. Conflicts and hiccups might test your mettle, but guess what? They're your secret allies in the journey of growth. Don't let them be roadblocks; see them as stepping stones. Read more poems about conflict.


  19. Failures You Have None?
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer, ©2020

    If failures you have none
    If mistakes you have not one
    Then living you are not
    You're living in the same spot.

    You see to get ahead
    You must live, not play dead
    Some risks you may have to take
    You have to live life awake.

    Failures you will see
    Some may not be pretty
    But learn from them and then go on
    Success is not stumbled upon.

    We all make mistakes
    But let that give your head a shake
    Start again with new knowledge
    It will put you above the average.

    So let your failures teach you
    The one thing that was the issue
    With determination and persistence too
    You will find success in what you do!



  20. poems about mistakes
    Poems About Mistakes


  21. Failure
    Poet: Edgar A. Guest

    Failure is ceasing to try!
    ‘Tis accepting defeat
    And to all you may meet
    Giving voice to a sigh;
    ‘Tis in thinking it vain
    To attempt furthermore
    And in bowing to pain
    When the muscles grow sore.

    Failure is stepping aside
    From the brunt of the fray
    In a weak-hearted way,
    Being content to abide
    In the shadows that fall,
    And in being afraid
    Out of life, after all,
    Nothing’s left to be made.

    Failure is thinking despair,
    The forsaking of hope,
    And refusal to cope
    With the day’s round of care.
    It’s in heeding the cry,
    All is lost! and to stay
    With defeat and not try
    For the happier day



  22. Failure is thinking despair, The forsaking of hope, And refusal to cope
    Poems About Hope


  23. Learn
    Poet: Unknown

    After a while you learn the subtle difference
    Between holding a hand
    And chaining a soul.
    And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
    And company doesn't mean security.
    And you begin to learn
    That kisses aren't compromises
    And presents aren't promises.
    And you begin to accept your defeats
    With your head up and your eyes ahead
    With the grace of a woman or a man
    Not the grief of a child.
    And you learn to build all your loads on today
    Because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans
    And futures have a way of falling down in midflight.
    After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if
    You ask too much.
    So you plant your own garden
    And decorate your own soul
    Instead of waiting for someone to buy you flowers.
    And you learn that you really can endure
    That you really are strong.
    And you really do have worth.
    And you learn.
    With every failure you learn.



  24. poems about learning
    Poems About Learning


  25. Don't Accept
    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

    The many dreams I had, I did aspire,
    But failure crashed and did conspire.
    Yet a failure, dear friend, is no defeat,
    Unless we give up and choose to retreat.

    Don't accept failure’s embrace,
    Focus on resilience, let it replace
    The doubts or fears in your mind
    Learn from mistakes so success you'll find.



  26. poems about defeat
    Poems About Defeat


  27. There's No Such Thing As Failure
    Poet: David V. Bush


    There's no such thing as failure
    To him who fights when down;
    For just as light comes after night,
    Success will failure crown.

    There's no such thing as failure
    To those who mean to stand.
    Each failure hard he's turned the card
    Success, and won the hand.

    They only think it's failure,
    And that's why they've not won;
    If they'd think right, keep at the fight,
    Success would surely come.

    There's no such thing as failure;
    Repeat this every day
    "I'm bound to win, thru thick or thin,
    Success is mine, I say."

    There's no such thing as failure
    Unless you want it so;
    With steady nerve, you never swerve,
    Success is sure, tho slow.

    There's no such thing as failure!
    Repeat, "I'm bound to win,"
    Do not complain; affirm again,
    "Success, doth now begin."

    There's no such thing as failure!
    Push on and make it flee.
    God helps the man who says, "I can.
    Success is meant for me."



  28. success poem
    Success Poem


  29. For Those Who Fail
    Poet: Joaquin Miller


    "All honor to him who shall win the prize"
    The world has cried for a thousand years.
    But to him who tries and who fails and dies,
    I give great honor and glory and tears.

    Give glory and honor and pitiful tears
    To all who fail in their deeds sublime.
    Their ghosts are many in the van of years.
    They were born with Time in advance of Time.

    Oh, great is the hero who wins a name.
    But greater many and many a time
    Some pale-faced fellow who dies in shame
    And lets God finish the thought sublime.

    And great is the man with a sword undrawn.
    And good is the man who refrains from wine;
    But the man who falls and who still fights on,
    Lo, he is the twin-brother of mine.



  30. in life we will have failures how we react determines our success
    Failure Quotes


  31. The Failure
    Poet: John Kendrick Bangs


    Now failures are, as I conceive,
    No things to weep o'er or to grieve,
    But beacon lights to warn us when
    We sail too near the rocks again;
    Or, better, spurs to urge us on
    To surer enterprise anon.

    He is a sage who scales the heights
    On failures made by other wights,
    Provided in his quest for pelf
    He's not already failed himself;
    And he who hasn't — well, I guess
    He'll never know how sweet success
    Can be to him who from a crash
    Emerges stronger for his smash.

More Poems Of Encouragement for Inspiration  



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We hope these poems about failure encourage you to look at failure as a stepping stone to success. As it has been said many times before you are only a failure when you give up!



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