Poem 5 — 100 Days of Poetry
About the Poem:
Invictus by William Ernest Henley is a powerful and inspiring poem about resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Written during Henley's long battle with illness, the poem's famous closing lines, "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul," have made it a timeless anthem of courage.
William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) was a British poet, critic, and editor. His personal struggles with illness and hardship deeply influenced his writing, making Invictus one of the most celebrated poems of perseverance.
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.
My Reflections on the Poem:
Recording Invictus was a powerful experience. Henley's defiance in the face of suffering resonates deeply, and the poem’s message of inner strength is one that continues to inspire. Bringing Henley’s words to life through this recording was both challenging and rewarding.
This post is part of my 100 Days of Poetry series, where I embarked on a journey to record and share 100 poems over 100 days in 2017. Although the series was interrupted, I’m delighted to continue sharing these timeless works with you.
