Invictus

• by Dil Singh
• 3 years ago

Life as it has for many has been very tough during this pandemic. I lost something that was truly precious to me. Shielding for over a year has left me bereft of feeling a numbness that has enveloped me. I have many times asked to be taken from this but alas my test is greater than that which I am enduring. The very reason for my being I have questioned for life has become arduous; it has lost it's meaning. I ask myself then if I feel it has no purpose and that it has become mentally tortuous then see how much I can do for others. In their moments of darkness in their service I can begin to see that is a gift, for no matter what, I will do my best. Never give up on life, until life gives up on you.

• by Rajarshi Sengupta
• 4 years ago

Once I was a good student. I have always been an obedient and gentle person. Then I failed in my life for the first time in the year 2002. Something happened and I fell right from the top and I was scraping at the bottom of the barrel. I failed for years after years. I lost everything that I had earned for 17 years before that. I failed so much in four years that I was doomed to be nobody. It has been 18 years since, and I have failed and succeeded, I have run, I have walked, I have crawled if needs be, I fought for every inch of my life. I fell so many times that I have lost count. They may break every bone of my body, they may tear my body into bits and pieces, yet no one can ever... no one can never ever break down my spirit. You ask why?

"It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll.
I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE,
I AM THE CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL."

• by Sherry Busche
• 5 years ago

I was hurt very badly many years ago and wound up in a wheelchair for years after being told I'd never walk again. At first I was very depressed about it and wound up addicted to pain meds. For years I was useless...to my kids, my family and friends and most of all to myself. Then something happened that was to change my life again...this time positively. I had eaten my way up to 300 pounds to top it off. I was watching a spiritual program and the pastor recited this poem. I had read it many years ago but never really got it...til that very moment. I've been walking, dancing, doing my own housework, and attending college for almost 2 years now. I am 59 years young. And lost over 150 pounds! I implore everyone to read and explain it if necessary...don't wait for all the years I did. Godspeed.

• by GeMa
• 5 years ago

Oh Wow, the poem gave me goosebumps. The back-story about William and the poem resonates with each and every one of us who have been and gone through hardships and heartbreaks, yet we live apologetically and laugh unconquerably. Oh yes, I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul!

• by Anne Smith
• 7 years ago

I am a very proud Mancunian, and consider myself to be a Lancashire Lass through and through. In recent days our largest indoor concert venue the Manchester Arena was attacked by a bomber, targeting youngsters having a fun night out. Those not killed have been left with horrific injuries, and many will have had the future they dreamed of snuffed out in a matter of seconds. When I heard the news, the words of this poem popped into my head, along with Kipling's IF. This poem is a timeless classic because it reflects human resilience, not just to survive, but to achieve even greater success.

• by Syed Khalid Kamal
• 7 years ago

I only heard this poem after my arrival in America. English is my second language, and I had to work long and hard to learn it well. I love this poem for it gives me and every human a backbone and resolve not easily broken.

• by Catherine Soper
• 7 years ago

In 9th grade English class we had to memorize this poem and then sometime during the year our teacher could stop us anywhere and we would have to recite it. That would be 35 years ago and I still can recite it to this day. It reminds me to always be my best no matter what.