I decided to look around for other poems like Camus’s and Oliver’s, and found Invictus. I had read the last four lines years ago,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
But I hadn’t read the whole poem,
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 (1849-1903), Victorian poet
And I hadn’t read about the story behind it. The poem came from Henley’s personal experience — his reaction to being diagnosed with tuberculosis of the bone when he was twelve years old, having a leg amputated below the knee in his late teens, and suffering many bouts of extreme pain. He wrote Invictus and other poems while being hospitalized for a couple of years in his mid-20s.
According to Wikipedia, after Henley’s death in 1903 an acquaintance in Boston wrote a piece about her impression of Henley,
There was in him something more than the patient resignation of the religious sufferer, who had bowed himself to the uses of adversity. Deep in his nature lay an inner well of cheerfulness, and a spontaneous joy of living, that nothing could drain dry, though it dwindled sadly after the crowning affliction of his little daughter’s death.
Wow! I’m glad I looked.
October 24, 2025
Such a powerful declaration of resilience and inner strength… It is true, we hold that power to choose our attitude and response. Enjoyed this so much..
I’m glad. 🙂
actually while reading the poem, I thought of Shug as I read. She is like this poem, and I found it cool that she was the first to comment. he words crowning touch of his daughter death, hurt my heart
Mine too.
That takes great strength to go through life with such courage.
Yes. 🙂
Very powerful!
🙂
…yes, I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul!
Fingers crossed for me. 🙂
This is actually a poem I am familiar with, amazingly. It says a lot.
Yes. 🙂
I wasn’t familiar with that one but it’s darn good!
🙂
What an amazing man, rising above such suffering! This reminds me of the author of that hymn, “It is Well With my Soul.” I’m humbled.
🙂
Wow he had all lose afflictions yet got married – had a child – and lost her. How sad yet so strong he was.
He was amazing.
Oh my, what an awful painful life he had! We both know this poem so well. He must have been an extraordinary person, according to his friend. We did not know anything about this poem’s author!
I was surprised and grateful to read about him.
Wow, is right! Even more so after learning more about him!
Same here!
What a trooper he was.
Amazing, just amazing. And something to aim towards.
Definitely very powerful.
🙂