Mark Toney Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

10/25/2025

Here’s a fun Poetry Marathon poem inspired by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), and his famous poem, “If.”  I originally published this in my 'Mile 10 Contest Finalized’ blog post on 08/27/2025.

 

Each of my Marathon tribute poems is a transformative homage to a literary classic — much like a parody or pastiche. I always credit the original poet and work, and the new poem stands as a creative reinterpretation with its own theme, imagery, and tone. 

 

I have included my Marathon-themed poetry in my Poetry Marathon blog posts since 2019, usually at the end of the blog posts, but I never posted them to my poetry page. So now I'm taking the time to post them to my poetry page. 
 

Fun Marathon Poetry Inspired by Rudyard Kipling

If you can muster up your heart and soul and energy
   To stay with you long after they’d normally be gone
And so keep writing when it seems there’s nothing in you
   Except sheer willpower that keeps you hanging on;
If you can interact with your fellow poets and keep your virtue,
   Or experience setbacks and not lose your humanity;
If you seldom if ever place in the top ten
   Yet continue running shunning pride and vanity;
If you can finish each unforgiving marathon mile
With determination to keep running till the end—
Yours will be the glorious satisfaction of having finished
And—what’s more—you’ll be a poet marathoner, my friend!

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Valsa George November 10, 2025 at 5:17 AM Though sometimes felt my energy was oozing out, kept on running with determination . Now stay back with a sense of satisfaction that I have successfully completed the race with some proud moments to cherish. Thank you for successfully holding and completing this ambitious project! Very inspiring lines, dear Mark. Mark Toney November 10, 2025 at 5:40 AM Spoken like a true poetry marathoner, Valsa! Thank YOU for your kind words.

David Crandall November 3, 2025 at 7:11 PM We're almost there! I like this one, and the source poem, too. Mark Toney November 3, 2025 at 10:51 PM I’m glad you like this one, David. Yes, we are almost at the finish line!

Andrea Dietrich October 26, 2025 at 2:52 AM Yes. It is always good to endure to the end. My friend Mark Toney October 26, 2025 at 9:02 AM So true.

Ava Springs October 25, 2025 at 6:21 PM This is great. I'm not a fan of appropriations and homages as a rule, and parody and pastiche without cause, but I really enjoyed this. Mark Toney October 25, 2025 at 7:39 PM I’m glad you enjoyed this, Ann. Thank you for the kind comment.

Mark Toney October 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM Each of my Marathon tribute poems is a transformative homage to a literary classic — much like a parody or pastiche. I always credit the original poet and work, and the new poem stands as a creative reinterpretation with its own theme, imagery, and tone.