अजिंक्य

 अजिंक्य

दोन ध्रुवांच्या गाभ्यात भरून राहिलेल्या गर्द काळोखासारखीच लपेटलेली रात्र

त्यातूनच आभार मानतो मी त्या विधात्याचे,  ज्यानी दिली मला देणगी एका अजिंक्य आत्म्याची

परिस्थितीच्या कचाट्यात सापडलेला मी ना कण्हतो,  कुथतो ना रडतो

नशिबाचे फटके खाऊन झालो रक्तबंबाळ तरी झुकलो नाही

या क्रोध व अश्रूंच्या जगापल्याडही एक भयावह सावली रेंगाळत आहे

तरीही वर्षानुवर्षे अनंत संकटं झेलूनही राहीन मी तसाच …. निर्भीड, अजिंक्य

उघडो दार स्वर्गाचे वा फार्मावो अनंत शिक्षा, बेपर्वा मी सगळ्याचा कारण;

शिल्पकार मी माझ्या नशिबाचा
मार्गदर्शक मी माझ्या आत्म्याचा

(Translation of a very famous poem Invictus by William Ernest Henley ( 1849-1903)who contracted tuberculosis of the bone at the age of 12 years; had leg amputated at the age of 17 years.Immediately after the amputation he was told that his other leg would require a similar procedure. Fortunately his one leg was saved and with one leg he led an active life till the age of 53 years. The poem was written soon after his leg was amputated. How courageous and determined!)

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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