I remember some poems vividly because my grandfather would stride around the house shouting them out when he felt inspired.
- "A Psalm of Life" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley
- More about these poets and others of Grandpa's favorites
- My poetry
What the heart of the young man said to the psalmist
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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
- Grandpa's favorite quote from this one:
- I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
More about these and other poets Grandpa liked:
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- William Ernest Henley
- Alfred Lord Tennyson
- and, of course, the Psalms
This is not the kind of poetry I write these days, but I do think that hearing rhythmic verses read out loud did contibute to my love for "accentuated syllabic verse."
Family
poems, including poems for my grandfather.
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