Those who have seen the Morgan Freeman flick "Invictus" will recall the poem by that name that isnpired Nelson Mandela during his 27 year imprisonment.
"Invictus" is Latin for unconqured, unconqureable, undefeated.
The 1875 poem by William Ernest Henley (1849-1903) was written while Henley was in hospital being treated for bone tuberculosis, a condition he had suffered from since age 12. He wrote the poem from his hospital bed after his leg had been amputated below the knee. According to Henley, we cannot prevent life's difficult times, sadnesses and challenges, "the Horrors of the shade", but we can determine how to meet them. We all have it within ourselves to face those challenges with strength, endurance and dignity.
