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Invictus
1875
William Ernest Henley
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 bludgeoning 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.
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Defectus
Adapted for modern times
Edward Ahern
Out of the night that covers me
Black as shit from pole to pole
I thank whatever gods may be
For my malleable soul
In the crotch grab of circumstance
As I winced and cried aloud
Evading the bludgeoning of chance
With helmeted head, unbowed.
Beyond a workplace of gossip and tears
Looms heat and a sunshade
And the medication for the years
Finds me doped and unafraid.
It matters not how expensive the toll gate
How charged with entitlements the scroll.
I am the muddler of my fate
I am the quisling of my soul.
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