Invictus

2001 nang una kong makilala si William Ernest Henley at ang kanyang pamosong Invictus. Bilang isang kabataang nais ng malayang kaisipan (ang corny), nagustuhan ko ang sinasabi ng tula. Sinasabi lang na ako ang bahala sa buhay ko. Wala kayong pakialam. Wala. Kahit Diyos! Ang tindi di ba?

Naging paborito ko iyon hanggang sa maisip ko na hindi pala posible ang tula. Hindi natin mapapatakbo ang ating buhay nang sarili lang natin. Hindi natin malalabanan ang pagtawag Niya.

Ngayon may natagpuan akong tula na sumagot sa Invictus. Naaliw ako dahil akma at totoo ang sinasabi nito.

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. By William Ernest Henley

MY CAPTAIN Out of the light that dazzles me, Bright as the sun from pole to pole, I thank the God I know to be For Christ the conqueror of my soul. Since His the sway of circumstance, I would not wince nor cry aloud. Under that rule which men call chance My head with joy is humbly bowed. Beyond this place of sin and tears That life with Him! And His the aid, Despite the menace of the years, Keeps, and shall keep me, unafraid. I have no fear, though strait the gate, He cleared from punishment the scroll. Christ is the Master of my fate, Christ is the Captain of my soul. by Dorothea Day