Invictus ~ Poetry Month

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 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.

~ William Ernest Henley~

image from wireandwhimsy.com

Invictus is one of my favorite poems. I've had it memorized since high school and I love finding reference to it all over the place. I sometimes wonder if every person who references the poem is aware of the source material.   

And now, the song of the day, Drive by Incubus

                                                                          "Drive"

Sometimes I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear 
And I cant help but ask myself how much I'll let the fear take the wheel and steer 
It's driven me before, it seems to have a vague 
Haunting mass appeal 
Lately I'm beginning to find that I should be the one behind the wheel 
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there 
With open arms and open eyes yeah 
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, I'll be there 
So if I decide to waiver my chance to be one of the hive 
Will I choose water over wine and hold my own and drive, oh oh 
It's driven me before, it seems to be the way 
That everyone else get around 
Lately, I'm beginning to find that when I drive myself, my light is found 
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there 
With open arms and open eyes yeah 
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, I'll be there 
Would you choose water over wine 
Hold the wheel and drive 
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there 
With open arms and open eyes yeah 
Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there, I'll be there