If - A Tribute to Kipling

For those who have read If, by Kipling, and who have been moved by the poem. I am nowhere as great at Rudyard, and probably never will be. But here is my piece, I hope he would have found it worthwhile:

If you can bear to lose all you ever had,
And learn to take it all in stride,
If you can see all your sacrifices go bad,
And never lose an ounce of your pride,

If you can learn to walk again after you fall,
And learn to live for weeks as a cripple,
If you can see life ahead, after you've lost it all,
And soothe the suface of your pond after every ripple,

If you can lose your friends to misunderstandings,
And forgive them their words said in fury,
Or stand to see your brother on the gallows, hanging,
And still not be angry with those who sat on the jury.

If you can lose all you ever built and cared for,
And see it trampled on by those you loved the most,
If you can tread lightly on their feelings, or,
When faced with vengeance, forgive them for what you lost,

If you can listen and learn from the monks who preach,
Forgive those who trespass against us,
If you can listen and learn from those who teach,
Love, for hate will only kill you thus.

If you can take all your pain and anger and sorrow,
And learn to keep it walled up in your heart,
Though you need help, you never ever borrow,
My friend, you will have made the best possible start.