The Unsubdued
by S.E. Kiser
I have hoped, I have planned, I have striven,
To the will I have added the deed;
The best that was in me I’ve given,
I have prayed, but the gods would not heed.I have dared and reached only disaster,
I have battled and broken my lance;
I am bruised by a pitiless master
That the weak and the timid call Chance.I am old, I am bent, I am cheated
Of all that Youth urged me to win;
But name me not with the defeated,
For tomorrow – again, I begin.
Here’s a another poem to go with THE FIGHTER, my Kiser selection from the other day. I don’t think I’ve known of a 19th century poet other than Whitman who so freely acknowledges failure, writes about it with unvarnished directness, but then says, “go on anyway.”
Hear that, wishers and liars and magic bean buyers? Go on anyway.
Poetry Friday today is hosted by Toby Speed @ The Writer’s Armchair. I love that we get good chairs in this business. Toby’s looks plushy.
Inspiring! “For tomorrow – again, I begin.” I wasn’t familiar with this poet, so, thanks, Tanita.
Yeah, quite a few of his poems reflect the time in which he lived, and he kind of has a Robert Service vibe going on in several of them, which isn’t to my taste, but I’ve found a few gems, and I really like them a lot. Thanks for stopping by!
I’m reminded a tad of Invictus, by William Ernest Henley. 1849–1903
Which you almost certainly already know!
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 5
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, 10
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: 15
I am the captain of my soul.
I myself have to go to the dentist on Monday, and almost certainly will wince, but I will be trying hard not to cry outloud!
Thinking of the both of you….
OY. The dentist is coming for us, too, very soon. And I do ADORE Invictus. I want that on a standing stone in my someday Poetry Yard.
I’m so lovin’ this poet. Thanks for introducing his work to us.
Paz