Skip to content
Military Experience & the Arts
Menu
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Staff
    • Friends
    • Contact Us
  • Publications
    • As You Were
      • Volume 23
      • Volume 22
      • Volume 21
      • Volume 20
      • Volume 19
      • Volume 18
      • Volume 17
      • Volume 16
      • Volume 15
      • Volume 14
      • Volume 13
      • Volume 12
      • Volume 11
      • Volume 10
      • Volume 9
      • Volume 8
      • Volume 7
      • Volume 6
      • Volume 5
      • Volume 4
      • Volume 3
      • Volume 2
      • Volume 1
    • Blue Nostalgia
      • Volume 4
      • Volume 3
      • Volume 2
      • Volume 1
    • Blue Falcon Review
      • Volume 2
      • Volume 1
    • Blue Streak
      • Volume 2
      • Volume 1
    • The Journal of Military Experience
      • Volume 3
      • Volume 2
      • Volume 1
    • Virtual Art Gallery
    • Copyright and Privacy
  • Submissions
  • Ways to Help
    • Writing and Art Resources
    • MEA’s Guide to Short Fiction and Nonfiction
Menu

“And if I fail”

by Dora Mokora

(“And if I fail” mobile version)

And if I fail, let me fail honourably
And if I fail, let it be with honour
For my light, I will lift high, though the storm be boisterous
Though my hands break, my phalanges will not stop to hold
With my spirit, I will shield the light, for I am determined to hold the shine
And if my light stops to shine, tell them to weep not
For I found solace in the fact that I continued to hold till the last flicker was extinguished.
Tell them that I held the light even when my hands were breaking
Tell them, that even when all hope had died I held the shine
For I am a soldier, and a soldier does not fail
I did not move with cowardice, for I knew the challenge

I stepped forward with conviction
For never could I think twice I pressed the button, many were afraid of
I had to believe in myself, for I knew no one could
My sleep is that of honour, make them understand that.

Let them know that I failed like a soldier in the heat of the battle
Tell them to save their tears, for I failed honourably
For I failed after I had tried everything I could
And even when I could not try I hoped
Tell them that I am a king who lost a fight

My sleep is that of honour, make them understand that
Tell them if they should fail, let it be after they have tried
Assure them that it is cool to try, do not shame them
Tell them that if they should fail, let it be that they never listened to them
They only criticize, whilst living in fear
But them, should walk and lead the pack

Yes, the pioneers, the ones that change the narrative, know no fear
My sleep is of honour, make them understand that
Tell them that should they fail, let it be that they learnt everything
Let it be that they explored the mountains and the valleys
And never left no stone untouched

Tell them that should they fail, let it be that they did not let their fears stop them
Make them understand, the way to carry their failures with nobility and honour
For even when they failed, they tried.
Warn them not to admire them
For those who never fail never try
My sleep is of honour, make them understand that.

–

–

–


 

Who We Are

Military Experience and the Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose primary mission is to work with veterans and their families to publish short stories, essays, poems, and artwork in our biannual publication, As You Were: The Military Review, periodic editions of Blue Nostalgia: The Journal of Post-Traumatic Growth and others. To the best of our ability, we pair each author or poet that submits work to us with a mentor to work one-on-one to polish their work or learn new skills and techniques.

Our staff is based all over the country and includes college professors, professional authors, veterans’ advocates, and clinicians. As such, most of our services are provided through email and online writing workshops.

All editing, consultations, and workshops are free of charge. Veterans and their families pay nothing for our services, and they never will.

Under our Publications tab, there are more than two dozen volumes of creative work crafted by veterans and their family members as well as a virtual art gallery. Our blog posts feature short pieces that cover a wide range of opinion editorials, literary reviews, and profiles on veteran artists and writers.

Please consider spending some time navigating our site and reading and seeing the fine work of veterans and their families from around the globe.

Subscribe to Announcements via Email

Enter your email to receive notifications of any announcements

Subscribe to announcements via Email

Enter your email to receive notifications of any announcements

© 2026 Military Experience & the Arts | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme