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Invictus by 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 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.

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Comments

Marlene said…
Very intriguing verse.
2/19/2010
readingsully2 said…
Great poem, Juana. The final lines says it all.
2/19/2010
Chubby Chieque said…
Ohayo gozaimasu...

What a beautiful intricate poem...

HAve a happy Sunday.
2/20/2010
Poetic Artist said…
Always love the last lines of this.
Thank you for this post.
Katelen
2/20/2010
Chris Stone said…
Mandela had this poem written in his prison cell while incarcerated? This poem is interesting, but the link gives it even more depth.
2/28/2010
GalleryJuana said…
The history of the Poet and then the fact that the poem was kept by Mandela while in prison really impressed me.
2/28/2010
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