12 Opportunity Poems

Discover poems that inspire you to recognize and embrace life's opportunities.

Opportunities surround us daily—embrace them with courage, not fear of failure

Short Poems & Quotes  |   Poems of Encouragement  |   Opportunity Poems

Updated March 12, 2025, by Catherine Pulsifer


When reading these opportunity poems, you may recall a chance you once lost—or one you seized with all your strength. Opportunities come and go, sometimes slipping through our fingers, other times changing our lives.

It’s easy to look at others—those with success, wealth, or fulfilling careers—and think they had more luck. But often, the real difference is not luck but courage. Fear of failure holds many back. The thought of trying and failing can seem worse than not trying at all. Yet, those who avoid risk often stay stuck in the same place.

Some hesitate because they’ve tried before and failed. The disappointment lingers, making it hard to trust that a new opportunity could lead to something better. But failure isn’t the end—it’s a lesson. Even the most successful people have faced setbacks before reaching their goals.

Opportunities surround us every day. The question is: will we embrace them, or will we dwell on past failures? Let these poems inspire you to see opportunity with fresh eyes, to step forward with hope, and to believe that a brighter future is within reach.




  1. Opportunities Rise Again

    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

    You tried before, but it went all wrong,
    The road was rough, the climb too long.
    Disappointment lingers, whispers doubt,
    Telling you to sit it out.

    But failure is not where dreams must end,
    It’s just a lesson, not the end.
    The ones who rise, who stand once more,
    Are those who’ve lost—but dared explore.

    Each stumble teaches, each fall refines,
    Success is built through tested times.
    So when a chance knocks on your door,
    Step ahead—try once more!




  2. Opportunity

    Poet: David V. Bush

    Opportunity knocks many times every day,
    And if carelessly slighted departs on its way;
    But it never evades you, for some time again,
    It is sure to return — and if seized, will remain!

    You must study its aspect and know how to take
    Every chance that is offered, its friendship to make;
    You must cherish a faith that it some day will bless
    The dull course of your life, and turn ills to success.

    Believe in its coming with mind strong and keen.
    And be sure that you know it, when once it is seen;
    It may come in the sun, yet look still in the storm.
    For misfortunes may show you its bright beaming form.

    Each night the great sun nestles down in the west.
    But next morning returns with the same ardent zest;
    So remember whenever you fall by the way.
    That a new opportunity waits you next day!

    No care is so trying, no failure so great,
    That you can't find a new chance to battle with fate.
    Watch close for your boon, for it's e'er on the wing,
    And the end of your trials at last it will bring.

    Gain knowledge and courage, seek wisdom and light,
    Lest you miss the fleet chance when it looms into sight;
    Every minute improve, and dismiss the dull past.
    Nor believe that old woes 'til the morrow will last.

    Through the star-studded night and the noonday's blue vault,
    Floats benign Opportunity, never to halt;
    It is knocking each hour, and it calls loud and clear,
    So be watchful and ready to answer, "I'm here!"



  3. Opportunity knocks many times every day, And if carelessly slighted departs on its way;
    Poems About Regret



  4. Opportunity

    Poet: Edgar A. Guest

    So long as men shall be on earth
    There will be tasks for them to do.

    Some way for them to show their worth;
    Each day shall bring its problems new.

    And men shall dream of mightier deeds
    Than ever have been done before:

    There always shall be human needs
    For men to work and struggle for.




  5. Opportunities Do Not Hang About

    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

    Delay thy tasks and haste not, and you shall miss the boat.
    Hesitate, procrastinate, releasing grip with every bloat;
    Musters of golden chances pass ever so swift and fleet.
    Laundry of days pile up, tardy actions cause defeats;

    Pity the opportunity that comes ere it departs
    For those who procrastinate have no regard;
    Treasures of doors swing open but if late you arrive
    Delayed actions, the opportunity does not survive.

    For opportunities rarely hang about,
    And when they're gone, on nothing can you count.
    If you wish for a bright future tomorrow
    Then do it today and you'll have no sorrow.



  6. If you wish for a bright future tomorrow Then do it today and you'll have no sorrow.
    Poems About Procrastination



  7. Most Out Of Life

    by Charles Rufus Skinner

    The man who gets most out of life is
    The man who takes advantage of every opportunity
    And neglects no chance to enlarge his field of observation
    And extend his experiences.
    The more mosaics we work into our allotted years
    The nearer our life will be worth living.




  8. My Outlook

    Poet: Catherine Pulsifer

    My outlook on life can see an array of opportunities galore.
    Do I believe in opportunities or just choose to ignore?
    One way brings optimism, embracing the world and its joys
    The other hides beneath a cloud, hearing only the noise.

    The choice is mine, a fork in the road with various outcomes ahead.
    Do I have an attitude of ambition or fear, one of optimism or dread?
    For if I just choose to exist, good fortune may slip away in the night,  
    But an attitude of abundant opportunity will bring me happiness bright.



  9. The choice is mine, a fork in the road with various outcomes ahead. Do I have an attitude of ambition or fear, one of optimism or dread?
    Positive Attitude Poems



  10. Opportunities

    by Rev. Evarts Scudder

    Opportunities for Christian work
    Are constantly slipping by.
    We recognize them too late. . . .

    Opportunities for patience, forbearance,
    Meekness, self-denial, courage.

    Opportunities for honoring God —
    For bringing friends to Christ.
    These are continually coming and going —
    Coming? Yes — but also going as surely
    And rapidly as minutes go.

    How full of good work our life would be
    If we lost no opportunity.




  11. To-day Slips quickly by —To-morrow's but a link. And while we idly dally, dream, or think. Our golden opportunity goes by.
    A New Day Poem




  12. Three Things

    Poet: Constantina E. Brooks

    Remember three things come not back:
    The arrow sent upon its track —
    It will not swerve, it will not stay
    Its speed; it flies to wound or slay.

    The spoken word, so soon forgot
    By thee; but it has perished not:
    In other hearts 'tis living still,
    And doing work for good or ill.

    And the lost opportunity,
    That cometh back no more to thee.
    In vain thou weepest, in vain dost yearn.
    Those three will nevermore return.




  13. Opportunity

    Poet Unknown

    Day-dreaming in my chair I sit
    And watch dream- visions past me flit:
    One, beautiful, and fair, and grand.
    Beckons with airy, fairy hand.
    Then smiles and points to Fortune's gate,
    And bids me not procrastinate.

    But sluggard-like within my chair
    I see this vision sweetly fair,
    Until at last she disappears.
    And I, with eyes bedimmed with tears.
    Awaken with a sudden start
    And cry, "Oh, tell me who thou art?*'

    The answer made me sorely grieve,
    Although such as we oft receive;
    "The vision that you chanced to see
    Was life's best opportunity;
    And this the lesson it would teach.
    Neglected, 'tis beyond thy reach."



  14. Opportunity appears like a vision to see, but if ignored, it fades—teaching us that lessons lost may never return.
    Life Choices Poems



  15. For Opportunity

    Poet: Marshall Field

    Try always to be ahead of your position
    and increase your efficiency.

    Having started, learn your business
    thoroughly from the ground up.

    Always remember that what you save,
    and not what you earn, counts.

    Consider carefully your natural bent,
    whether for business or a profession.

    Take stock of yourself and try to determine
    what business you are best fitted for.

    Work with all your energy and
    do everything as well as you can,
    not merely well enough to pass muster.

    Of course, the fact that we know something of
    how the other man did it does not prove that we,
    too, will achieve a large measure of success.

    The personal element is always an important factor.
    Many men fail even when they are trying to put
    the highest kind of rules and regulations into effect.

    But it is better for them to try and fail
    than not to try at all, or to succeed through base
    methods and ignoble motives.



  16. Work with all your energy and do everything as well as you can,  not merely well enough to pass muster.
    Poems About Work



  17. Small Things

    by Maria Frink

    He who overlooks a small occasion will have
    Lost his eyesight when a great one comes.
    Never wait for a chance to do good,
    Never seek for some great thing,
    But improve each small opportunity as it comes to you,
    And some day you will be surprised to find that
    The truly great occasion of your life would have been
    Overlooked had you not been keeping track of the small things.


Related Pages:

Success Poem - Opportunity and success go hand in hand. Let this poem remind you that seizing the moment leads to greater achievements.

Living Life Poem - Life is full of opportunities—big and small. This poem encourages you to embrace each day with purpose and joy.

Opportunity Quotes - Sometimes, a simple quote can spark action. Let these words inspire you to recognize and grasp the opportunities before you.

Poems On Life Lessons - Opportunities often bring lessons—some easy, some hard. These poems reflect on the wisdom gained through life’s experiences.

Poems About Failure - Failure isn’t the end—it’s a stepping stone to success. These poems remind you that missed opportunities can lead to new beginnings.

Poems About Perseverance - Opportunities require perseverance. Let these poems encourage you to keep going, even when the road gets tough.

Opportunity, A Berton Braley Poem - This classic poem beautifully captures the essence of opportunity—read it and feel inspired to take action.

Quotes About Second Chances - Opportunities don’t always come just once. These quotes remind you that second chances can lead to something even better.

Poems About Winning - Winning often comes from recognizing and seizing the right opportunities. These poems highlight the mindset that leads to success.


Don't wait for opportunities—seek them out and create your own.


More Poems Of Encouragement to Inspire & Encourage


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