Friday, October 31, 2008

My Favorite Poem

This for many years now has been my favorite poem.  I wanted to share it because I love the message it portrays about the indomitable human will.  The title is latin for "Unconquered."  

INVICTUS
by William Ernest Henley, 1849-1903

Out of the night that covers me, 
Black as the pit from pole to pole, 
I thank whatever Gods my 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 bloodied 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 the punishment the scroll, 
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.

Hope you like it...


2 comments:

Nikki said...

One of my favorites too. I will tell you right now, of all the classes I took in College, poetry was one of my favorites (and one of the only ones that I actually kept the book). I love sitting and reading through it every now and then...This one is definately poigniant isn't it?

Grandma said...

I really like that it says we are responsible for how we handle difficulties in our lives. We are our own dictators.