INVICTUS

I have been a fan of the word: INVICTUS for a long time already (since 2000 I guess) but here's the catch: I don't know what it meant. I was too lazy to look it up in a dictionary or the web but I just found out recently what it was.

When I was facilitating a class, I was asking students to write down consequences for everyone who will be violating any of the class rules. Then I came accross reading a consequence: "Recite the poem INVICTUS by William Ernest Henley". Then it tickled my mind and decided to search the web.

I would like to share with you guys something that I just learned (don't you just love the internet?):

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.

Additional info courtesy of wikipedia.com

At the age of 12 Henley became a victim of tuberculosis of the bone. In spite of this, in 1867 he successfully passed the Oxford local examination as a senior student. His diseased foot had to be amputated directly below the knee; physicians announced the only way to save his life was to amputate the other. Henley persevered and survived with one foot intact. He was discharged in 1875, and was able to lead an active life for nearly 30 years despite his disability. With an artificial foot, he lived until the age of 54. "Invictus" was written from a hospital bed.