Words to live by.

Published on January 22, 2005 By dharmagrl In Misc

This is my favorite poem. The last stanza of this is what's going to be inscribed on my memorial plaque.

For no particular reason (other then I felt like it) I give you:

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 unbow'd.

Beryond 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.

(W. E. HENLEY)

Comments (Page 2)

dharmagrl

on Jan 26, 2005

but i do not think the poem is about convictions or sticking to them

No, I didn't say that the poem was about that...I said that McVeigh didn't go out pleading for jesus or god to forgive him like a lot of other a-holes do, he went out sticking to his convictions.

The poem, to me, is about being yourself. Not relying on some unseen deity to direct your life. It's about taking responsibility for your actions and suffering the consequences...it's about taking all the crap that life can throw at you and still holding your head high...it's about refusing to be beaten down by anyone or anything.

Boy, is Dharma gonna be pissed when she checks in and see's how her threads been hi-jacked

Nah, dude, it's cool. I don't mind thread hi-jacking when it leads to intelligent and productive discussion. It's mindlessness and stupidity that make me want to delete...and so far I've seen none of that here.

dynamaso

on Jan 27, 2005

I believe so, yes. I'll see if I can find a bio on him and send you a link.

Thanks Dharma, I'd be interested in seeing what his spiritual leanings where.

Cheers,

Maso

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