‘The Will to Win’ is written by Berton Braley, an optimistic American poet. Its theme is that strong will-power, hard work and determination lead to success. The poet says that if we want something badly enough to fight for it, work day and night for it, give up our comforts, lose our fear of opponents and keep going in spite of poverty, hunger and sickness, then with God’s help we will surely get it.
The poem is written in free verse and every stanza begins with ‘If’, which builds up the conditions for success. The poet uses climax, tautology (‘useless and worthless’), antithesis (‘day and night’), alliteration (‘besiege and beset’) and repetition. The language is simple and forceful. I like the poem because its message is motivating and it inspires students never to give up.