Invictus -- the power of poetry (and prayer) to help freedom prevail

[Fly by night]

Preface: Everyone here should go see "Invictus", Clint Eastwood's new film about the first days of the Democratic Republic of South Africa, about rugby and about the power of a single poem that helped Mandela survive (and learn powerful and persuasive messages) from his 27 year imprisonment.

This poem is now on my refrigerator door, right next to the Hopi Elders prayer, the proper source for "we are the ones we have been waiting for."

Have a good Sunday, all y'all. Might just be a good day to go see an inspiring movie. As for me, the wooly worms here in my hollow are all solid black, so I need to keep adding to my woodpile -- it's going to be a cold winter and I'll need the heat.

Now that I am, once again, the master of my fate.

FBN
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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 (1849-1902)

[Fly by night]

1. the Hopi Elders prayer (for those new DUers who don't know it)

From the Hopi Elders

You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is The Hour.

Here are the things that must be considered:
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?

Know our garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.

Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

This could be a good time!

There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.
They will try to hold on to the shore.
They will feel like they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off toward the middle of the river,
keep our eyes open, and our heads above the water.
See who is there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves!
For the moment we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.

The time of the lonely wolf is over. Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we have been waiting for.

The Elders, Oraibi, Arizona, Hopi Nation

[pampango]

2. Great, great movie. Saw it yesterday. Still rebuilding my tear supply. n/t

[Fly by night]

3. I agree. It is one of those rare films that I wouldn't mind seeing again ...

... and soon.

[Fly by night]

4. One last kick, and then back to the woods

Have a good Sunday, all y'all.

Go Springboks!

[Fly by night]

5. O...K..., just one more kick (really) before I get back to the woodpile.

Sure glad I've got a hydraulic splitter -- hickory and oak beat just about everything else to produce BTUs in my north-facing, deep ,middle Tennessee hollow.

Go Titans!!