Invictus

Often times situations and times make us forget what amazing humans we are, what wonders we can do and what the purpose of our existence is. It is refreshing experiences like travelling and meeting new people that reminds one that they are the master of their destiny.

Author

Safeer Bhola
September 14, 2022

Hello hello!

I’m back after a travel break. To more about my travel diaries head over to my Instagram!

Before I jump into what I wanted to share with y'all today, I just wanted to let you know that Today's Poem is now also on Spotify! now you dont need to just read the piece but can also listen to these amazing poems on the go!

Invictus

Listen to this episode from Today's Poem on Spotify. Often times situations and times make us forget what amazing humans we are, what wonders we can do and what the purpose of our existence is. It is refreshing experiences like travelling and meeting new people that reminds one that they are the master of their destiny.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0EVXCHBSNZUUYvyK79O8cZ?si=f0e7521dc56144e6

This break served to be a great help in bringing in new perspectives and learning more about myself. While I volunteered to teach Scouting, I resurfaced my personal strengths that I forgot about and the opportunity areas that I should start working on again. Often times situations and times make us forget what amazing humans we are, what wonders we can do and what the purpose of our existence is. It is refreshing experiences like travelling and meeting new people that reminds one that they are the master of their destiny and that they hold the key to every lock on their journey to success. And that is exactly what today’s poem also reflects on.

Written in 1875 and originally published in 1888, this was a poem that even Nelson Mandela recited to fellow inmates when he was incarcerated on Robben Island. W. E. Henley essentially reemphasizes that no matter what the darkness in life, no matter what comes in the afterlife, no matter what the circumstances one is going through currently, ‘I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.’ Hope you like this piece and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.

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.

Slide into my DMs to talk about this and many other poems! Also, just hit me up if there is anything you'd like to talk about that is currently bothering you.

What I’m listening to today: Bewajah by Nabeel Shaukat Ali