[fiftyacorn]

Ive always hated "If" as it captures that British Imperialist viewpoint at that point in history

Its background is that it was written as a tribute to Jameson after the failed Jameson raid - which was an attempted South African coup

[wnkrshm]

I didn't know the background but I'd agree though not necessarily as strongly as hating it.

To me, the poem paints an unreachable ideal of being that just doesn't resonate with me at all. It may just be me but in my mind it feels naive.