Is this one of the most inspiring poems of all time? I think it might be. The words reflect strength and courage, and I find them deeply moving and a great source of inspiration.
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.
Any thoughts you wish to share? What poem do you turn to when you need strength / inspiration / courage? Please feel free to comment below.
The Life and Times of a Forever Witch 
I love it. You’re right it’s incredibly inspiring. Powerful. Here’s one I thought of in response: 🙂
http://www.moonwomanrising.com/2012/07/now-i-become-myself.html
What a great poem; I had never come across this one before. I especially liked the line ‘Feel my own weight and destiny!’ That really struck a chord with me. Thanks for sharing this. Brightest Blessing, dear friend
Something about the two is energetically tied together! That line struck with me, as well, especially since that’s my best way of practicing mindfulness: grounding into my physical form. 🙂 I love good poetry!
Greetings Sammi,
I am so glad to hear all the poems you find and things that inspire me and those of our fellow wiccans and I am glad to have all the best of you. I think you’re a special witch and I’m glad that I can consider you a friend. Please have the brightest of blessings and may we merry meet, merry part and merry meet again. Kristen)0(
Thank you for such a lovely, heart-warming comment, my dear friend. Brightest Blessings
Great poem, also love Maya Angelou ‘And Still I Rise’ and Anne Sexton’s ‘Her Kind’.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Still I Rise is a lovely, inspiring poem. Brightest Blessing
I really like this poem! It’s so uplifting and empowering! I don’t usually read poetry…but the song that I go to when I want to feel empowered is hmm..I would think Titanium. I used to listen to “I Surrender” by Celine Dion and Anastascia a lot a few years ago….the songs helped me a lot!
It is a lovely, empowering poem. I always feel better after reading it. Brightest Blessings
Thank you for sharing this. I needed it right now. HUGS
Glad I could be of use 🙂 It is such a lovely, empowering poem, I just felt moved to share it today. Wishing you the Brightest of Blessings
Reblogged this on Mari Wells and commented:
This poem is to powerful. I had to share it.
I really enjoyed that. I love Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market’ and many of the John Donne poems. Robert Browning is a great storyteller and of course, Shakespeare. I also like contemporary poets like Seamus Heaney and Carol Ann Duffy. Oh I forgot about Aphra Behn and now I will shut up! Brightest Blessings.
It sounds like you really like your poetry! 🙂 Goblin Market is very good; I like the line ‘In the haunts of goblin men’…I’m not sure why…Brightest Blessings
I have that – I just love certain lines of poetry. Brightest Blessings
One of my fav poems !
Thanks for taking the time to comment. This is one of my favourite poems too. It does everything a great poem should. Brightest Blessings
This is my all time favourite poem. I can recite it word for word, and I adore it. 😀 Thanks for posting!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I think the last two lines especially are wonderful. Brightest Blessings