Journal Entry 10/10/21

Invictus [unconquerable]

by William Ernest Henry, 1875

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.

_____________

Victa [conquered]

by Jonathan Blake Camac, 2021

Out of the night that covers me
Now resplendent light that makes whole,
I thank my God in Jesus Christ
For conquering my wretched soul.

In the hands of Almighty God,
I have oft winced and cried aloud.
Yet due the bludgeonings of God,
Christ’s head is bloodied, mine is bowed.

Within this place of wrath and tears
A Father whose strength is a shade,
And so the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

Hard the way and narrow the gate,
Yet payed the charges on my scroll.
Christ is the master of my fate:
Christ is the captain of my soul.

Advertisement