Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
3 comments:
I saw this poem years ago when I was a young immature warrior. Years later after being severely wounded and laying in my hospital bed, I came across it again, and it had a deep spiritual meaning to me. William Ernest Henley overcame tremendous adversity in his life to come to that moment of mental commitment to never back down and write Invictus. I echo his words, I am the Master of my Fate, I am the Captain of my Soul. Strength and Honor, Jay Redman.
Jay, Thank you from my entire being for your service and I'm honored by your comments.
Similarly, I read it when younger and the meaning didn't fully sink into my grey matter until about a year and a half ago ;) When circumstances push me to where I think I've reached it, I always think of Invictus. If I am still breathing, I am still Invictus.
I originally posted it for a friend of mine who I sensed was struggling with hopes that it would remind him that no matter what we WILL over come against all odds. We all need a little virtual hug and reminder occasionally.
I am the Master of my Fate, I am the Captain of my Soul. Strength and Honor,
Susan
Walking to the edge: Time to push harder, further, faster…. Watch out envelope here I come...again ;)
Was looking for a place to post my poem, and this spot seems the perfect place for an addendum to, or at least another angle of accepting and choosing to navigate one's momentary circumstances.
LOVE AT ONCE
Floating away up into the light
The perfect ascenscion the man got it right
The sounding of joy in his heart ringing true
His offering to me and you
Little child born of simple modesty
He always was the person that he ought to be
He lived he healed he gave unselfishly
Illuminating
Illuminating the way
Oh every one wanted to be magic like him
But not so much as to live without their own sin
His kind example twisted to a moral threat
And he left us a story we just can’t seem to forget
When we all Agree to Love at Once
The power will connect Us to God and the Earth herself
And our Tears of Joy
Will Nourish This tortured Tree of Life to Health
You know, Love is Our only Wealth !
Step out of your story
Away from you blinders of fear
Now is the only time and the place is here
Finding eachother we realize We all relate
Embracing the Spirits We Are,
We Elevate
From then to now and there to here
At the helm of our destiny
Attempting to steer
From fear to Love
From ignorance into Sight
From the seas of darkness
Out into the Beautiful Light...
Matthew
Twitter & Love At Once link
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