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.
What an absolutely beautiful and inspiring poem. I've never heard or seen it before and it has really moved me, to the point I might even have it printed and framed so I can place it in my renovated hall, so I see the poem before I leave the house of a morning.
Stirring stuff! Good poetry has the power to stop us in our tracks and make us think about things in a different way. Ranks with Rudyard Kipling's 'If', in my opinion.
------------- Always edited for sloppy typing - when I spot it!
Do all the good you can
By all the means you can
In all the ways you can
To all the people you can
In all the places you can
As long as ever you can.
I think it was attributed to John Wesley, but that's now doubted. I'm not religious, but this seems to me to be as good a mantra as any, irrespective of religion or culture.
Invictus (= Invincible) was the favourite poem of Nelson Mandela when he was in prison - it was his motivation. The man who wrote it was an amputee himself, lost a leg to TB. I only know this because I printed off the poem when our last dog was in her final days earlier this year, as she thought she was invincible too. I find the last two lines (I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul) keep me going when the going gets tough. It's up to me.... just do it.....
I was fortunate to be selected as one of the technical officials at this afternoons swimming competition. The effort and determination of these wounded or injured servicemen and women was truly amazing. The support that they gave to each other regardless of which country they came from is something we could all learn from. The noise inside the pool hall was emense at times and it didn't matter whether it was for the winner or the swimmer who came in last.
Whilst the reaction of the winners was special it was more about not being defined as a person by their individual injury. I hope that their rehabilitation and recovery can be supported by sport.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Invictus by William Ernest Henley
