They said that it could not be done,
Others who had tried all blew it.
Much better men than I were they
And not one of them could do it.

A challenge that a man like me
Could not easily turn aside.
To rule a thing impossible
Was folly before I had tried.

I would forgo all food sleep and rest,
Just to show them I could do it.
Doubters who said, “Your plane won’t fly.”
Were astonished when I flew it.

So night and day I worked to solve
This unsolvable conundrum.
Failure left my faith unshaken
Greater stuff had I been made from.

I told them that success was near
No way now could it elude me.
The list of all of those who failed
I would never let include me.

My confidence has been shaken
Now the world will know I blew it
Because last night, at half past nine,
I found I couldn’t do it!