Antarctica

"I am just going outside and may be some time."

The others nod, pretending not to know.

At the heart of the ridiculous, the sublime.

He leaves them reading and begins to climb,

Goading his ghost into the howling snow;

He is just going outside and may be some time.

The tent recedes beneath its crust of rime

And frostbite is replaced by vertigo:

At the heart of the ridiculous, the sublime.

Need we consider it some sort of crime,

This numb self-sacrifice of the weakest? No,

He is just going outside and may be some time

In fact, for ever. Solitary enzyme,

Though the night yield no glimmer there will glow,

At the heart of the ridiculous, the sublime.

He takes leave of the earthly pantomime

Quietly, knowing it is time to go.

"I am just going outside and may be some time."

At the heart of the ridiculous, the sublime.

– Derek Mahon

Although Antarctica isn't really a country, I chose this poem because it provides insight into a foreign world unlike any other. Rather than describing the well-known climate, terrain, and environment of Antarctica, Mahon depicts the struggles one might go through exploring the land. With little context and background, the mystery behind why a stranger would leave his group and possibly never return is left up to the reader's imagination. However, from the little information he does provide, we learn of the suffering the group faces. As all hope is lost, a lone member breaks his polar numbness and acts; facing Antarctica's unrelenting weather in search of a miracle. The phrase, "I am just going outside and may be some time", strikes a particularly ominous tone, raising concern whether the stranger will come back or not. A harsh, yet perfect reminder of how dangerous Antarctica can be.

Tanka

Tanka is a genre of classical poetry that originated in 7th century Japan. Like the Haiku, tanka poems follow a defined syllable structure. However, while Haiku tend to consist of a 5-7-5 structure (17 syllables), most tanka are 5-7-5-7-7 (31 syllables; basically a haiku with 2 extra lines).

The reason I chose tanka was because, unlike haiku, they allow the use of metaphors, similes, and personification, which help add a little more scope to the story. For example, a tanka written by Kelly Roper:

"The autumn leaf let go of

the branch with a whispered sigh and

wafted resignedly down to the earth,

its destiny fulfilled."

Here, Roper describes the changing of seasons from the perspective of a leaf. Her use of personification adds emotion to the leaf's narrative and the feeling that the leaf is its own being, with its own thoughts and desires. However, in the end, it can not escape the laws of nature and eventually succumbs to fate as a new season takes over.

Henley's 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

Browsing across the Poetry Foundation website, scrolling and scrolling in search of a poem that could enchant me, I stumbled upon the word “Invictus”. Thinking back to the majestical Worlds Championship run Invictus Gaming made back in 2018, I felt an obligation towards the poem. Deciding to spare a minute of my time to read it, I realized what a masterpiece it was. However, I wasn’t fascinated by the poem itself (although it is exquisitely written), but the sentiment it put forth.

The sentiment is what makes “Invictus” such a powerful poem, lying not just within the realm beyond words and speech, but feeling as well. When I read it, I can feel the strings of emotion tugging at me. Sadness, disgust, and pride all take over. As inspirational as it is, “Invictus” makes me proud of being human. Proud of my human weaknesses and the motivation they provide to persevere. No matter how large the obstacle, it instills within me a sense of possibility; that it’s in my hands to overcome. In a world often governed by circumstances out of our control, “Invictus” believes otherwise, proposing the bold idea that we are in control; not some god, nor the elements, but us.

The poem’s true magnificence lies in the fact that anyone can relate to it. It appeals to me on an empathetic level, to the same part of my mind that is fascinated by icons and is swept away by art. It is easy to acknowledge the shade of death or when it feels as if fate dealt me a bad hand, but “Invictus” turns that and believes you can convert that bitterness and hatred into acceptance and motivation. So what if you are on the doorsteps of death? Think of the fear you feel merely as a handicap. Ok, so what if you got a bad hand? Giving up won’t change the cards. In the end, the journey to overcome is what is important. Coupled with vivid imagery that radiates a sense of determination, Henley effortlessly depicts how the narrator forges through toil and pain, undeterred.

“Invictus” strikes a chord with me because it’s a real reflection of a beaten soul. Written when Henley was recovering from a lost foot to Tuberculosis; though bedridden, it was his way of coping and admitting the gravity of the situation he had found himself in, determined to overcome it no matter how worse it may end being. Henley neither turns to prayer nor resigns to fate, rather resolving against the adversity that befell him. His situation was not due to divine providence or ill luck, but due to his soul, and consequently his destiny. When I read “Invictus”, I forget I’m reading a poem and instead find myself reading about my life and the obstacles I’ve overcome, am overcoming, and have yet to overcome. This is what’s so special about “Invictus”. The poem conforms to the eyes of the reader. For example, a man fighting a terminal illness may interpret the poem as a message to accept the outcome with courage and dignity. Meanwhile, an inmate may interpret the message as a motivation to keep struggling and never give up. “Invictus” is truly a universal poem, with a unique message for every reader, no matter the circumstance.

“Invictus” would be a perfect poem to teach. Although covering a rather depressing topic, it is important to raise awareness of this inevitable situation. How we react in the face of adversity is what defines us. Therefore, it is imperative we learn from the misfortunes of others to further better ourselves. Especially in the highly competitive society we live in today (where many believe one failure will forever destroy your aspirations), I believe it is necessary to teach failure so when we do experience it, we know how to get back up, breathe, and let go. 

 “Invictus” is a fantastic poem that appeals to me on a personal level. I love how each sentence is powerful on its own and when all the sentences come together, we have a poem that can ignite a fire in anybody’s heart. The last two lines, especially, send chills down my spine. “I am the master of my fate, // I am the captain of my soul.”

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/51642/invictus

Does "Invictus" inspire you? If so, what message do you interpret from its verses? Can you draw any real-world relations from your life?