My Fav. Poem

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I think 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.

William Ernest Henley

I discovered this poem after watching the movie "Invictus" with Matt Damen and Morgan Freeman (it's an AWESOME movie--if you haven't see it yet, you should watch it!). Morgan Freeman's character, Nelson Mandela reads this poem to Matt Damen's character over tea. I googled it and have loved it ever since. It hangs in my office and when my boss is in an extra *itchy mood, I read this."I thank whatever gods may be, For my unconquerable soul."

Below is a YouTube clip of Alan Bates reading Invictus. Enjoy!