On my video about “non-denominational” public school prayers, someone left this comment:
in junior high school we proposed ‘Invictus’ – by William Ernest Henley as a non-denominational invocation to replace other pledges and prayers in school. Didn’t go over well. What do you think?
I don’t know how I managed to miss this poem. It reads like a Klingon war song:
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.
It may n0t be entirely secular, but it is entirely badass.
7 comments
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EcksLibris
June 13, 2012 at 10:11 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Awesome poem and the movie which borrowed its title is really good too!
Geoff
June 13, 2012 at 10:43 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
One of the poems I’ve memorized – I love reciting it while riding my bike to work and as life happens different parts pop into my head. Another good one is “If” by Rudyard Kipling though it’s written to “..your’s is the earth and everything that’s in it, and which is more, you’ll be a , my “, but I think paraphrasing works – ..my love? ..my carbon-based life-form? ..my human being? hehe..
LJ Briar
June 13, 2012 at 10:59 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My grandfather’s favourite poem, and no doubt a beautiful one.
Also, welcome, Zinnia! I was SO excited to see you’d joined FTB!!!
Dalillama
June 13, 2012 at 11:19 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That one is a classic alright.
Lucy
June 14, 2012 at 5:03 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That is crammed full of awesome! I hadn’t come across it either, but I’m glad you posted it.
Also, welcome :-)
The Lorax
June 14, 2012 at 12:36 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Someone needs to translate that into Klingon…
TGAP Dad
June 14, 2012 at 8:30 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
FWIW “Invictus” is what Timothy McVeigh chose as his last words.