Invictus

This past week has just plain sucked. I haven't been up to par and have dragged around the house feeling flu-ish, achy and exhausted for 5 days now. I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm getting plenty of rest, reading and watching movies.

Today we rented "Invictus" and it was a fantastic movie. This is the true story of Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) as he was released from prison after 27 years, then became South Africa's President in their first truly democratic election. In his efforts to unite the country, he enlists the captain of the rugby team (Matt Damon) to go all out and take the team to the World Cup in 1995.

I'm not much for politics or sporting events, but this movie had me in goose bumps and tears. During his time in prison, Mandela was fond of reading and quoting the poem "Invictus," written by William Ernest Henley (1849-1903) who suffered from tuberculosis of the bone.

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.

This movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, was beautifully done, a story well told and so worth watching. I'd highly recommend it!

And now I'm going to go lay down again ...