I am the Captain of My Soul

Invictus is Latin for unconquered, a movie starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela. In the movie, Mandela is released from imprisonment after 27 years, is elected President of South Africa and attempts to eradicate racism and unite the blacks and the whites in what seemed like an impossible task. I dunno why, but I felt all emotional when he walked out of prison and when he said his vows during the swearing in ceremony! The poem Invictus, was what motivated Mandela's character to pull through his dark days in prison (though not true in real life). Shall not spoil it for you, go catch the movie!

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 fate

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.

Guess who wrote it!? 'At the age of 12, Henley became a victim of tuberculosis of the bone. A few years later the disease progressed to his foot, and physicians announced that the only way to save his life was to amputate directly below the knee. In 1867, he would successfully pass the Oxford local examination as a senior student. In 1875, he wrote the "Invictus" poem from a hospital bed. Despite his disability, he survived with one foot intact and led an active life until the age of 53.' (From Wikipedia)

Awesome!!! 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. Ah, I'm appreciating poetry again! Inspired! :)