Indians For Guns

Dear all,

Long long back during the days of Bal-Bharti I studied this poem the first time (STD VII, I think) and it struck a chord somewhere inside. It was as if I had commissioned the English poet to write out a charter for me. Though the poet was listed as "Anonymous" then, the words continued to linger within, for I had found someone who put in words what I could not and yet chosen my life to be. And then, it slowly slid into the background of grey cells making way for other things as I grew up, with just the occasional essence wafting through the years.

I stumbled upon this gem again, recently and thought of sharing with y'all. It does not fail to cause my heart to flutter even now and create kata/ romanch/ goose-pimples. May this poem be one of the guiding beacons of your life as it's been for me. I give you INVICTUS.

regs
A
=================


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

you sound like morgan freeman.

Bravo!

shooter wrote:you sound like morgan freeman.

Thank you shooter - undoubtedly one of the most talented actors. Wish I could be even 1% of Morgan Freeman. Alas! Some things are destined to remain wishful thinking.

-- Wed Mar 09, 2011 11:43 am --

Vikram wrote:Bravo!

Glad you appreciated the thought, Vikram. The poet composed it under the circumstances when the poet was bed-ridden in a hospital following an accident and the doctors had written him off. He recovered nonetheless and lived on to lead a fruitful life. BTW, this particular poem had come in for a lots of flak for his "mid-finger" response to God (and Satan alike) and refusal to succumb to the Divine Will. But yes - great influence especially due to the fact that it was studied during the formative years. Incidentally, I am sure y'all noticed the last two lines; especially, they are nicely applicable to the RKBA - where a strong-willed person need not rely on arrival of India's famed cops but can lead from the front.

Thank you shooter - undoubtedly one of the most talented actors. Wish I could be even 1% of Morgan Freeman. Alas! Some things are destined to remain wishful thinking.

I was referring to the scene where he says to matt damon, "May this poem be one of the guiding beacons of your life as it's been for me."

(or something like that).

shooter wrote:

Thank you shooter - undoubtedly one of the most talented actors. Wish I could be even 1% of Morgan Freeman. Alas! Some things are destined to remain wishful thinking.

I was referring to the scene where he says to matt damon, "May this poem be one of the guiding beacons of your life as it's been for me."

(or something like that).

Hey that's cool - I googled Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman and the movie "Invictus" actually showed up ! How come I missed it ?! Does the movie plot around the same poem ? Thanks shooter, for the pointer - will try to source the DVD. Ought to be worth it, with those two starring in it.

airgun_novice wrote:

shooter wrote:

Thank you shooter - undoubtedly one of the most talented actors. Wish I could be even 1% of Morgan Freeman. Alas! Some things are destined to remain wishful thinking.

I was referring to the scene where he says to matt damon, "May this poem be one of the guiding beacons of your life as it's been for me."

(or something like that).

Hey that's cool - I googled Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman and the movie "Invictus" actually showed up ! How come I missed it ?! Does the movie plot around the same poem ? Thanks shooter, for the pointer - will try to source the DVD. Ought to be worth it, with those two starring in it.

Its one of the better movies out there.

its such a pleasure to see some else also sharing an interest in poems

+1. There used to be a "minstrels" group on yahoo, where one posted a poem, and the meaning with it. The archives are still online, and there are hidden gems in there. Take a look.

airgun_novice wrote:Dear all,

Long long back during the days of Bal-Bharti I studied this poem the first time (STD VII, I think) and it struck a chord somewhere inside. It was as if I had commissioned the English poet to write out a charter for me. Though the poet was listed as "Anonymous" then, the words continued to linger within, for I had found someone who put in words what I could not and yet chosen my life to be. And then, it slowly slid into the background of grey cells making way for other things as I grew up, with just the occasional essence wafting through the years.

I stumbled upon this gem again, recently and thought of sharing with y'all. It does not fail to cause my heart to flutter even now and create kata/ romanch/ goose-pimples. May this poem be one of the guiding beacons of your life as it's been for me. I give you INVICTUS.

regs
A
=================


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

Dear A,

:clapping:

Thanks for sharing this gem with us! Was not feeling myself today, but this piece did flare me up and am all set to take control

Cheers,
Rup

Rup -

Well recollected air_novice!

It brings to mind what P.G. Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster has praised, as the restorative that his gentleman's gentleman, Jeeves provides unfailingly, to bring back the stiff upper lip and straight spine under very, very challenging circumstances!

As Vikram said, BRAVO +1