Invictus, a poem written by William Ernest Henley published in 1888, is also the name of the movie based on the book, Playing The Enemy:Nelson Mandela and the Game that Changed a Nation. Mr Mandela tells the captain of the South African Rugby team, that during his many years in prison, the poem inspired him to, “stand when all he wanted to do was lie down.” The poem inspired the captain to lead his team to victory in the 1995 World Cup Rugby tournament, when their performance was far below the grade for such an achievement.
The poem was written by the poet as he lay in a hospital bed. When he was twelve he contracted tuberculosis of the bone and a few years later it had infected his foot. He was told that his life could be saved only if his leg was amputated below the knee. He was 25 when he wrote the poem and lived an active life until the age of 53.
Invictus
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.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I am tingly all over from reading this poem. Thank you Miruh, for sharing.
We truly each have a unique sense of the world, and so when we leave the realm of common sense and come to our own personal senses, we will have indeed become the captain of our own soul.
Hello Nicole,
Likewise, I had the same response when I read it the first time. It touches the depths of our own truth.
May you be inspired!
Hello Bernie,
Welcome back! I started looking at some of the pics you posted on Facebook. Looks like an incredibly awesome trek!
I love your play on words.
I agree, we each must find our own way on the journey, and as we come in to our own truth, we can then be the master of our destiny.
Thanks for dropping by.
Namaste!
Hi, Miruh!
Great post! This poem always makes me tear up, especially after hearing Mr. Mandela’s story. Just saw Invictus…powerful movie!
Peace and gentle love, my friend
“I am the master of my fate:”…I have forever loved this line. It has sustained me too many times to count.
Thank you for posting this poem…it’s my favourite of all. The last stanza is actually posted on my fridge, so I see it every day.
Hope you’re enjoying the cool weather…didn’t fall come quickly this year? Or is it just me, haha?
Hi Miruh,
Breathtaking photo and poem. I didn’t know the background.We never know the pain of another man’s soul until we hear him speak. Sometimes we never know. Thanks for an uplifting post.
Sending warm love from across the waters.
Hello Linda,
Yes, Invictus is a movie that sends a powerful message and is relevant to the political climate today. When greatness is the attitude we hold, miracles do happen.
Deep peace to you!
Hello Marion,
That is a great idea, I will post the last stanza on my refrigerator too. When I reach for the ice-cream, “I am the master of my fate…”
Yep, it was an abrupt transition in the weather and Seeta is making sure she soaks up every bit of the remaining sun’s rays before the gray days are upon us.
Looking forward to your pics and stories on Autumn in the Cariboo!
Love and blessings!
Hello Alexys,
Yes, I thought the photo illustrates the poem well. Our friend is very much the captain of his soul.
I like the saying about not judging a man unless you have walked in his moccasins for two moons. We don’t know the pain that some people carry. I try to remember this when I catch myself in judging mode.
And to you too, a warm shower of blessings coming back to you across the water.
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