Hope in Futures Unknown

William Ernest Henley

William Ernest Henley once wrote:
“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.” 


We all know this crazy world of social media that is only just beginning to blossom, so the concept of an "About Me" is familiar to most of us. My friend, Derek, wrote this in his:


"I believe in fighting hard for the things that mean something to you. Life has a way of throwing some difficult things your way to try to trip you up. You can either lie down and take it, or you can jump up and fight it. What can i say, I'm a fighter."


Poetry is a hidden love of mine, so personally, I'm a fan of the Old English, beautifully written, poem, but my point is feelings resinate for years after they are originally felt. Most everyone can experience the same emotion at one point in their lives. Derek and Henley said and meant almost the exact same thing. Obviously Henley never wrote an  "About Me" and My friend was restricted to a certain number of characters as he typed his words, however  they think some of the same thoughts. Henley wrote this poem on his death bed after his foot had been amputated. Even though Derek doesn't know that exact pain, he understands that pain is a universal feeling. This is proof for all of the doubters out there, that there is hope for our youth and our future. If a 16year old kid can understand and write about the same things an accomplished poet can, I think we might just be okay. After all, "I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul" can apply to everyone that wants to change this world.


(I realize I could just have an amazing friend who is way ahead of his time.. Im okay with that too.)