Wednesday, January 19, 2011

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 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.


-William Ernest Henley

Invictus is Latin for "undefeated."  Henley wrote this poem from a hospital bed in 1875. He developed tuberculosis of the bone at age 12 and by the time he was 25 one leg was amputated directly below his knee (most likely without any form of effective anesthetics to ease the pain.) Despite this great limitation he went on to lead an active life, proving himself a truly unconquerable soul. 

Monday, January 17, 2011

Jerusalem!

It has been a dream of mine for years to come and study at the BYU Jerusalem Center. Now I am finally here! My semester abroad includes intensive biblical study, an introduction course to Hebrew, study of Judaism and Islam, required regular exploration of the Old City and New City of Jerusalem, field trips to neighboring cities and countries, and all this in the company of incredible people.