"It Couldn't Be Done" by Edgar Guest

by C.G.

Note: This post was written by a creative writing student at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in the fall of 2017

In times of great turmoil, stress, and difficulty, it feels reassuring to have support and comfort. This comfort can come in many forms, from people to literature.  I feel that one great example of how poems can serve as a source of comfort and therapy is a poem written by Edgar Guest: It Couldn’t Be Done. The message of perseverance in It Couldn't Be Done, as well as the content of the poem itself, carries therapeutic (restorative or healing) value in its ability to create connections within some individuals, externalize obstacles, and to inspire.

Guest’s poem talks about the common theme of thinking or being told we can't do something, which makes it very relatable and easy to empathize with. There are always “thousands to tell you it cannot be done” or that scoff and say, “you’ll never do it.” I’m sure that everyone has heard these words at least once in their lifetime when they try to accomplish something. The commonality of being called incapable is not the only connection readers can relate with. The "thing" trying to be overcome is never specifically stated as the poet uses vague phrases like “it couldn’t be done,” or “you’ll never do it.” Therefore, numerous people can form their own connections with the poem. For example, someone trying to finish college may see this task as “the thing that cannot be done” after being told so repeatedly. On a more serious note, someone trying to overcome an addiction, like alcohol, could also relate to the poem’s “thing that cannot be done.”


The poem is cathartic or relieving in its handling of obstacles in our paths. The thing to be overcome is just that: a "thing." In the poem, it has no weight and can be tackled easily; so, it paints hard obstacles like difficult tasks, doubts, or strong feelings of inadequacy as being capable of being placed under an individual's control so that they may overcome these feelings. What is being tackled in the poem is left open for interpretation, just like how the “someone” standing in the individual’s way is never given a name. Just like how the “thing that cannot be done” can apply to any number of things, the nameless “someone” can also be a source of connection. This “someone” could be an enemy telling you can’t succeed, or it could be yourself serving as your greatest obstacle. This method of viewing the "someone" saying you can't do something as yourself may help view troubling thoughts or habits as a separate identity or source. It’s comforting to know that a situation is not due to your own faults or inabilities, so the separation of individuals from the problem can make handling the situation easier.


Guest creates a poem that carries an inspirational message of persevering through adversity caused by a situation, another individual, yourself, etc. It’s empowering or liberating in its description of just singing and tackling the thing that can't be done so that the individual may get it done. The overall tone of the poem is very positive and empowering as well. The individual is not saddened or discouraged by the words of others. Instead, the individual maintains a very optimistic attitude about what he’s trying to accomplish as he keeps “a trace of a grin” and sings as he tackles the thing. I felt motivated to get things done as I read over the individual’s actions and felt happy as they ignored discouragements from others. I also liked how Guest ended the poem with a reminder to the reader to employ the individual’s attitude:

“But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
               Just take off your coat and go to it;
            Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
            That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.”

It was a nice finish to the poem as it ends on a hopeful and encouraging note.

At times, obstacles and adversities can seem insurmountable, so it’s helpful to find some source of comfort. It Couldn’t Be Done by Edgar Guest can serve as such a source with its motivational message of buckling down and facing obstacles head on. I think that just as I felt inspired and connected to the poem’s content, others too will find this poem to serve as a good reminder that things can be done by the force of our own inner strength.