To My Son, I saw your Dad lay a piece of paper on the kitchen paper. I picked it up and saw that it was a poem. He said it was the poem Invictus and that he had made two copies…one for you and one for your Sister. I picked it up and read it. Then I reread it and read it again…and again. This poem was powerful beyond words. It was mind blowing. I can see why your Dad gave it to you and your sister but it is especially relevant to you, a young man about to leave home for college. Invictus By William Ernest Henley 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 not 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. Wow. That was deep. I had to pull out my AP English and Penn upper level poetry class skills to break it down for myself. Invictus means “unconquerable” or “undefeated” in Latin. The author starts off by thanking God (he used Gods with a little g..but for us…. it’s the big G) for his unconquerable spirit. Because of his unconquerable spirit, despite bad circumstances, he does not complain but rather persists with his head unbowed. He does not fear death. I think he used death both literally and then figuratively as an analogy for anything scary. The last stanza explains why he is unbowed and unafraid. He is the master of his fate. He is the Captain. Son, in the movies, the captain stands on deck and looks afar. He has carefully prepared for and planned the journey. He has made sure he has the appropriate staffing, supplies and provisions. He checks the weather patterns and makes decisions about the speed and direction.. If something looks like it may obstruct the boat’s path, he may shift gears……circling around it or moving in a completely different direction. He knows where he is going however, and yet has to be flexible enough to respond to things as they come up. He makes the tough and difficult decisions. And then he has to stand by them. College is the beginning of your launch. You are the Captain of your life. Your efforts will determine your course and the ultimate destination. It will not be determined by me, nor your Dad, nor Bunky, nor your professors, nor your TA, nor your RA, nor your roommate, nor the cashier at the bookstore, nor the librarian, nor your class mate…...Nope…It’s simple. It’s you. All you. Period. So, move to the front of the boat and embrace your role. Be the master of your fate and the captain of your soul. Love Mom
Posted on: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 23:54:19 +0000
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