Persistence – Reviewed
Grace Y. Estevez
Regret can choke
till hopes are dead.
Ego will poke
in doubtful heads.
Tears cloud clear eyes,
fill steps with dread,
absorb faith dry,
so fears can spread.
Take a deep breath
attempt to try,
going the length
helps wishes fly.
…
You may find the rest of the poem here.
Persistence (Published at Spillwords)
© by owner. provided at no charge for educational purposes
Analysis
“Persistence” is a poem about resilience, but it’s more than just the idea of pushing through tough times. It’s about understanding that hardship is an essential part of becoming strong. The poem doesn’t ignore the challenges of life, but instead, it acknowledges how hard those struggles can be, and how they can weigh us down. Yet it also suggests that these struggles don’t define us, and they’re not the end of the story. The real message here is that persistence—staying focused and continuing to move forward—is what helps us transform those difficulties into strength.
The poem uses a simple, clear structure, made up of eight quatrains with a consistent AABB rhyme scheme. The lines are short and straightforward, allowing the meaning to come through without unnecessary ornamentation. This makes the message feel accessible, like a reminder you’d tell yourself when things are tough. The rhyme scheme is steady and almost singsong, giving the poem a rhythm that mimics the steady march forward despite difficulty.
Lines like “Regret can choke / till hopes are dead” and “Tears cloud clear eyes” capture the heaviness of emotions that can hold you back. The poet doesn’t shy away from the truth about how tough life can feel. But instead of staying in the darkness, the poem offers clear, actionable steps for moving forward. It reminds you to take a breath, try again, and push through, even when it seems hard: “Take a deep breath / attempt to try.”
What’s effective about this simplicity is that when people are struggling, they don’t need flowery language or abstract ideas. They need clear, honest advice that they can act on right away. The poem doesn’t try to make things sound easier than they are, but it emphasizes that the way forward is persistence. “Going the length / helps wishes fly” isn’t about pretending that things will always go smoothly, but about doing the work, even when it’s tough. It’s a small but powerful reminder: keep moving, even if it’s just one step at a time.
As the poem progresses, it gives a few more pieces of advice. “Drown out distress, / fling goals up high” encourages focusing on what you want to achieve, not letting doubt or fear take over. It’s about narrowing your focus and not letting distractions derail your progress. The tone is practical, not overly optimistic. It doesn’t promise that everything will be easy, but it shows how persistence works by emphasizing inner strength and staying grounded. “Grasp inner light / defend attacks” is about finding that inner resolve and protecting it when everything around you is trying to make you doubt yourself.
By the end, the poem gives a sense of hope, but it’s a realistic hope. It’s the kind of hope that comes from putting in the effort, no matter how small, and from learning to move past the fear and doubt. The final lines—”Hearts shine so bright / erasing lack”—suggest that persistence doesn’t just help you succeed; it changes you. It fills the gaps left by fear and uncertainty and replaces them with strength and clarity.
“Persistence” isn’t about denying the difficulty of life. It’s about acknowledging it and moving through it, one step at a time. The poem’s simplicity is necessary for its message. It doesn’t need to overcomplicate things because what it’s offering is a clear, simple piece of advice: even when life gets tough, keep going. That’s the heart of resilience. By keeping the language direct and the message simple, the poem becomes an effective reminder that persistence, even in small doses, is the key to overcoming doubt and turning struggle into strength.
