China Blue
China Blue
Jun 09, 2015

Invictus re write(for masters ws) original poem by Wm Ernest Henley

Invictus re write (for WS Meet The Masters)

From the darkness surrounding me
ebony dungeon without end
thankful for what protection be
for what I know I must defend

In the cruel hold of condition
no sound does utter from this tongue
beneath the beatings of transition
bruised and battered but not undone

Above this state of anger and fears
hangs still,the terror in the shadowed
although the ever present years
I remain brave and un harrowed

No change within the path I take
nor the amount of challenge in the role
I alone will control my fate
I am the one that leads my goals

About This Poem

Last Few Words: this is for Meet The Masters Workshop

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Region, Country: North Carolina, USA

Favorite Poets: Edgar Allen Poe

More from this author

Comments

alidzain

this is a powerful poem about the triumphant soul.

Alid

China Blue

Thank you , I don't believe I did justice to the original though, It has more of a punch
My favorite line from the original is

It matters not how strait the gate
how charged with punishment the scroll
I am the master of my fate
I am the captain of my soul

the entire poem has a very deep rooted meaning for me

L

Lonnie

9 years 10 months ago

Having both seen the original poem and heard it recited, I can honestly say that your re-write is exceptionally well done! You have maintained the premise and optimism of the work, and your language use is spot on! All in all, a marvelous job of which you have a right to be proud!

China Blue

thank you,your comment means a lot to me.
It was not easy to re write as I am not a fan of structured poetry
but I will write it when forced to lol

Sparrow

I am not part of this workshop but will just pop in to say that your write is exceptionally good.
I had a flag up on the 2nd and third lines in your last stanza not sure why but it came up as:-
nor will the amount of challenge in the role
I alone control my fate.
Not sure of the context but I thought I would say.
Take care , Yours as always, Ian

Sparrow

Your slight change has made this one of your best and enhances the poetry by the old masters, Yours Ian x

weirdelf

(though I believe you forgot to check the box that puts it in the workshop stream)

judyanne

A difficult poem to rewrite imo
I have to say, though, that although yours does do it justice, I do prefer Henley's version :)
love judy
xxx

China Blue

Thank you although I think Henley had more experience than I lol

judyanne

I never meant that I didn't think your write anything less than really well done,... I just don't think anything can beat Henley's last stanza.... it has forever been one of my favourites..
xxx

China Blue

didn't take it that way
I agree his last stanza is what caught me. Although the entire poem is one of my favorites. I can easily identify with the words