I heard on the radio yesterday that it was National Poetry Month so that got my thinking. Not about how much I like poetry- I really don't. Poetry isn't my medium but there have been both poets and poetry that I like and been inspirational to me so I thought I'd take my Sundays this month and feature a random selection of my favorite poetry.
First up, 'Invictus.' Most people will remember this movie which featured the poem but it was written after it's author, William Ernest Henley had his leg amputated below the knee at the age of 17. According to Wikipedia (the Font of All Knowledge) stoicism inspired him to write the poem and ultimately, even without a foot, he lived an active and healthy life until his death in 1903 at the age of 53.
So kids, put on your berets and black turtlenecks and head down to the local coffee shop and get ready for a month of poetry goodness and enjoy this:
Invictus: William Ernest Henley
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 no 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment