The World as I see it.

I remember coming across this poem on the first page of one Jeffrey Archer’s books, the name of which I cannot remember at present. I know it can’t be “Prison Diaries” because on the first page of that one was “One Thousandth Man“ - a poem that also means a lot to me to have blogged about it here…http://jideofo74.blog.com/750020/ But then again as the book [Prison Diaries] came in volumes, it could just be that both poems were used for different volumes - as I said, I just can’t remember.

Anyway, not only do I love Jeffrey as a writer - after reading “Kane and Abel”, I was hooked - he must have perfected the art of choosing poems that definitively capture my soul as preambles for his books. The history of my encounter with this poem goes far beyond Jeffrey Archer. I came across it first long time ago in Nigeria, in the famous book by Tai Solarin, “Message to young Nigerians“. I cannot remember exactly how the poem was referred to in the book but I will never forget how Mr Solarin stressed the last two lines, “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.

Please see if you can see what I saw in this seemingly priceless piece of poetry.

Invictus - Unconquered for the Latin challenged!

 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.

[The poem was written by the English Poet, William Ernest Henley, 1849 - 1903]

Every now and then, a poem captures your feelings so completely that you resonate in unison with the author as you read it. At this point in time it is Rudyard Kipling’s (1865-1936). The English short-story writer, novelist and poet is remembered more for his White Man’s Burden but by far I prefer – The Thousandth Man!

With everybody living an increasingly selfish life, it is typically…be my lover, my friend, my partner and so on.

How about - the thousandth man!

See if you see what I see.

One man in a thousand, Solomon says,
Will stick more close than a brother.
And it’s worth while seeking him half your days,
If you find him before the other.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend
on what the world sees in you,
but the Thousandth Man will stand your friend
with the whole round world gain you.

‘Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show
Will settle the finding for ‘ee.
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of ‘em go
by your looks, or your acts, or your glory.

But if he finds you and you find him,
The rest of the world doesn’t matter;
For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim
with you in any water.

You can use his purse with no more talk
than he uses yours for his spendings,
And laugh and meet in your daily walk
As though there had been no lendings.

Nine hundred and ninety-nine of ‘em call
for silver and gold in their dealings;
But the Thousandth Man he’s worth ‘em all
because you can show him your feelings.

His wrong’s your wrong, and his right’s your right,
In season or out of season.
Stand up and back it in all men’s sight
With that for your only reason!

Nine hundred and ninety-nine can’t bide
the shame or mocking or laughter,
but the Thousandth Man will stand by your side
to the gallows-foot - and after!