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 not 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.
William Ernest Henley 1849-1906
These words have been heard repeatedly around our home the last few days. Kyle's football coach gave the team the assignment to memorize it by Monday. (Along with a "play book" to learn - that they will be tested on!) (The team motto is "Have Fun, Play Hard, Hit Hard, & Win") "Intense" would be an understatement, I think. ;)
At first, I thought the talk of bloody heads and bludgeonings (of which he can hardly pronounce) was a bit much for 10 yr. old boys, but it turns out the only words the kid even pays attention to are the last two lines: I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul. I asked him if he even understood it. {No.} I told him it means that each person can take responsiblitiy for their own destiny. He didn't understand my answer either. (sigh)
But, the coach has aspirations to take this team all the way through the playoffs and to the Mini Bowl this year. (The same team who only won 2 games all season last year!)
What do you think? Will 26 boys and 6 coaches memorizing this, collectively, do the trick?
6 comments:
I think that is very cool. Teaching football and culture at the same time. Good luck to their team!
I hope they do! Sounds like it might be a little extreme, but he is teaching the kids as he goes and isn't that the whole purpose of little league sport?
I might just print this out and give it to Tom!
So funny for 10 year olds! Good luck Kyle!
We love that poem at our house. So I think it will probably pull them through to be the CHAMPS!
This is the poem that the Viewmont high school football team recites before each game - so the coaches think it's cool for the younger kids to learn it too. And for what it's worth - Hunter's team recited it last year before each game - and they had a perfect season: 0-10 (meaning 0 wins - 10 losses). For what that's worth.... But it's still a good principal to learn - I am the destiny of my soul!
Hi Suzanne! Here is the website to that place we stayed at. It was in the middle of nowhere-but it was unique and fun. Good luck!
http://www.sodacreeklodge.com/
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