FOWC with Fandango — Challenge
INVICTUS
by William Ernest Henley
William Ernest Henley, born August 23, 1849, was an influential British poet, perhaps best known for his poem “Invictus” (1875). He is the author of A Song of Speed (D. Nutt, 1903), Hawthorn & Lavender with Other Verses (D. Nutt, 1901), and For England’s Sake: Verses and Songs in Time of War (D. Nutt, 1900), among others. He died in Woking, England, on July 11, 1903.
If ever a poem spoke of meeting a challenge, this one does. I don’t actually believe I am the master of my fate. I don’t think any of us are, but there are times when hanging on to the thought helps you through otherwise hard times.
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Categories: #FOWC, Daily Prompt, Fandango's One Word Challenge, poem
I relate. One of Greatest poems of all time around here.
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It has the best last two lines of any poem.
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I think the aspect of our fate we can master is how we face it. My dad was very brave in the way he met his fate. He used his rational mind to ameliorate the oncoming disasters that he could. I’m very grateful that he was my dad and that I was old enough to see and understand what he was doing. When I read this poem, it always seems to be about my dad, “bloody but unbowed” with his “unconquerable soul.” ❤
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Well, it must have spoken to me too because I think I first heard it in elementary school and through all these years, it stuck. That generally means something. So many things wander into the mist, but this one didn’t.
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❤
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The last two lines in the poem speaks to me.
Leslie
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I think they may be two of the most powerful lines in poetry. This was also made into a song. I remember parts of it because we sang it in glee club.
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🙂
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It is a beautiful poem. I read it many years ago and appreciate your popping it up here. Indeed, I agree, it does help through the difficult times.
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No one is really in charge of their fate, but when times are tough, it’s helpful to believe you are. Even if it’s not quite true, it makes it easier to deal with the hard parts of survival.
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A good thought to hang onto these days.
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However unrealistic it may be!
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