Thursday, November 21, 2013

I am NOT the captain of my soul

Morgan Freeman is cool. Matt Damon is a decent actor. Rugby rocks. Nelson Mandela was a boss leader. "Invictus" was fun movie. Poem quoting is manly. Okay... all that's covered. I ain't hating on people, 'kay? 

"Invictus," by William Ernest Henley, sounds great, but it points heavily to humanist self-sufficiency for this dude's understanding of the Bible's teaching on the necessity of depending on God. Don't take my word for it; read it here... 

INVICTUS 
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 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




Now, this cool lady, Dorothea Day, wrote a counter poem. I think it's more in line with my understanding of relating to God and myself. 


MY CAPTAIN 
Dorothea Day 

Out of the night 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.

1 comment:

Cristina said...

this is perfect. when i watched that movie, i was SO incredibly disappointed that it ended with that poem. i seriously think of it every now and then and it makes me sad. like NO! NO! i'm NOT the captain of my fate and soul and i don't want to be. love this counter-poem. thanks for sharing.