(With deference to Rudyard Kipling)
If you can keep your dignity when all about you
Are bowing to the scrutiny of men,
If you believe in you when all men doubt you,
And face their patronising time and time again;
If you can wait but not feel it's a virtue
Or being lied about, reject the lies,
Or being hated don't let it destroy you,
And still, while looking good, show that you're wise:
If you can dream - and act to make it happen;
If you can think - and show the world you can:
If you can meet with Tokenism, Rejection,
And show that acrid pair you're not a fan;
If you can tell the truth and then not grumble
When politicians use it to point score,
Or see the kids you've nurtured take a tumble,
And stoop again to pull them off the floor:
If you can take your life and its achievements
And risk it on one love that lasts the while,
Try not to fail in spite of disagreements
And through all provocation keep a smile;
If you can force your back and brain and ego
To handle well a hundred different roles,
And carry on when energy is zero
And keep the Will to still achieve your goals:
If you can march with demos through conviction,
Or sit on boards - nor fail to compromise,
If neither men nor women friends cause friction,
If you can love them all but seek no prize;
If you can learn to fill the average hour
With twice its worth in things you need to do,
Then sanity will be within your power,
And daughter, then you'll be a woman too!