Winners Never Cry



Though your grandpa was a quiet man, he taught his lessons well.
He taught me ways to understand with stories I still tell.
The first time I had lost a game, he told me what to do.
So now, my son, in grandpa's name, I'll do the same for you.

Hold your head up proudly, wipe that tear out of your eye.
You still can be a winner, but winners never cry.
You've just reached the place in life where winners all begin.
You have to know the taste of loss to savor any win.

If you want to see a rainbow, you have to take the rain.
If you want to be successful, you have to take the strain.
If you want to be a winner and hold your head up high
You have to know just how to lose, 'cause winners never cry.

You could win most any game and jump and shout for joy.
That's a part of life that's shared by every growing boy.
But here's a thought for the little guys who join the ranks of men.
A winner is the "loser" who can suck it up and try again.

About this poem

This one is about a father giving advice to his son about how to lose gracefully and with dignity. This could be one of the hardest lessons to get across.

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Written on May 15, 2006

Submitted by npirandy on March 08, 2023

Modified on May 01, 2023

1:05 min read
113

Quick analysis:

Scheme AABB CCDD EECC FFGG
Closest metre Iambic heptameter
Characters 940
Words 212
Stanzas 4
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4

Randy West

I'm 76 years old and a combat veteran from Vietnam. I used to compose poetry while on ambush patrol as a way of staying awake on watch, since falling asleep could be hazardous to my health. I started early in life though, because, as a child, I would write little tidbits to my mom for the heck of it. more…

All Randy West poems | Randy West Books

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Discuss the poem Winners Never Cry with the community...

5 Comments
  • Chrissy.
    You should do a book of poems like this. Id buy it for my daughters to read. Wonderfully wise words.
    LikeReply3 months ago
  • lovingempath
    One of my very favorites. Great visual impact, as well as strong messaging content. Thank you for this beautiful piece!
    LikeReply11 months ago
  • baways
    Great poem and sound advice.
    LikeReply 111 months ago
  • hopebenc
    I really just enjoyed this poem I think the ideas were great and the author had a good rhythm that made it easy to read.
    LikeReply 111 months ago
  • dianelutey
    This poem told a positive story passed on from generation to generation.
    LikeReply 111 months ago

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"Winners Never Cry" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/156519/winners-never-cry>.

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