Invictus

After seeing the dramatic movie Invictus, I was intrigued by the parts of the poem that lend the movie its title.

In the movie it is used as an inspiration point to lead people beyond what performance that is logically possible. Mandela was inspired to move the people out of apartheid prejudice and into developing a country the would come together and not seek revenge upon itself. Matt Damon's character used it to challenge his leadership to take a rugby team that had absolutely no chance of winning against a team that was rolling over other throughout the world, and get them to believe that they could win. And they did.

This is a pretty powerful piece of poetry that was used. My web search brought it up so that you may get some inspiration from it if needed.  : ) Pat

Louis Untermeyer, ed. (1885–1977). Modern British Poetry.  1920.

William Ernest Henley. 1849–1903

7. 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	5
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,	10
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:	15
I am the captain of my soul.