So tonight in our Living Richly with Chronic Illness Group we of course had our normal check in time and then we ventured into poetry. I read some poems written by a child who suffered from Muscular Dystrophy and although they were simple there was such depth and perception which came across for such a young person. Keeping it simple this child had the ability to speak even to adults about how to not only live with a pesky chronic illness but to keep his mind uplifted and enlightened even through the interminable side effects of disease. Then we moved on to a well known poem written by William Ernest Henley in 1875, Invictus. Upon doing a little research this week I realized that the author had struggled through his own life with chronic illness and even suffered the loss of his leg in his teenage years, yet somehow managed to live a full and complete life effecting others through his written words for years to come. Invictus is oft quoted, used to inspire and give hope, spur one another along to victory in the face of insurmountable odds and offer up hope to our little group on Wednesday evenings. I will end this post with the Poems words and hope that they bring you some hope, courage and motivation.
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 or cried aloud
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloodies but not unbowed
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade
And yet the menace of 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
