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.
-Invictus, William Ernest Henley
A friend told me about this poem awhile ago, and I revisited it last week. What I like most about this poem is the idea of independence, and a person being so inherently incredible that all he or she needs is the self. I think the last two lines are my favorite part. The power of ABAB rhyme scheme, guys.
Have a poem to share? Let me know in the comments.
Zoë Lance. 
This is so powerful, “bloody but unbowed…unafraid…captain of my soul,” I love the strength in the language. Thank you so much for sharing this 🙂
Thanks for commenting!