Unconquerable Souls
‘Unconquerable Souls’
Poetry That Could Be Supernatural
As some of you will already have noticed I read a lot, and I have a soft spot for poetry. Give me Shakespeare at any time, and I’m happy. Now, some of my best-loved poems have begun to remind me of my favourite tv-show and its characters…
This is meant to be my Christmas gift for all of us, to carry us into the New Year on the immortal words of some of the world’s greatest minds, and their visions of hope, courage, human strength and human flaws, and the many faces of love.
On this site it’s all about love, don’t you think?, and it comes indeed in numerous forms – it’s the love we share for a tv-show, the love we give to one another by respecting each other’s comments and thoughts, the love we send via the web to console and/or appreciate someone who told us a personal story, the love that hides within relaxed banter and the fun craziness we unfold here.
And it’s about shapes of courage – it takes some guts to de-lurk and post a comment, thereby subject your thoughts and opinions to possible criticism, to defend or condemn an episode or this hellatus…, and, also, guts are needed when accepting another’s point of view. Don’t mind me; I’m a sentimental soul sometimes.
So, when winter embraces you with its icy wings (read too much poetry lately, Jas?), let the shadows go and remind yourself that there is a lot of kindness, compassion and warmth in this world, and it’s worth fighting for (what else is being human about?).
Our Winchesters do it in fictional stories, and each one of us does it by accepting another’s weaknesses, by helping up the old lady who stumbled in the street, by smiling at a stranger (and receiving a smile back), by reaching out to someone we have issues with… the list could go on…
The other day I came back from a trip, and as my plane was late I missed all my trains and got stuck at a station. There was no other train that late in the night, and I prepared myself to order a cab and pay a ridiculous amount of money only to sleep in my own bed. A couple at the station noticed my predicament and offered to take me home. So they drove many miles just to get me there, and when I offered to pay them for it, they simply said: ‘No, this is not for sale. Do something for another person in need.’
This is what I mean – that is the kind of gift each one of us is able to give to others.
So, have a most wonderful and peaceful Christmas, allow yourselves to be enveloped in love and friendship, and may angels watch over all of you.
Merry Christmas to you all
- and to the cast and crew, everyone who works hard on this show, and all the creative minds of Supernatural.
You’ve given us the best show we could have possibly wished for, and with it fun, inspiration, creative debates and nourishing ideas… Thank you.
Enjoy.
(And, of course, copyrights lie with the authors entirely, I found the screencaps at screencap paradise, stills are property of the CW.)
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 unbow’d.
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 matter 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 Henley
From: Song of Hope
Oh sweet tomorrow!
After today
There will away
This sense of sorrow.
Then let us borrow
Hope, for a gleaming
Soon will be streaming,
Dimmed by no gray,
No gray!
…
Doff the black token,
Don the red shoon,
Rights and retune
Viol-strings broken;
Null the words spoken
In speeches of rueing,
The night cloud is hueing,
Tomorrow shines soon –
Shines soon!
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Icy wings? Been reading Mallarme’s ‘Le vierge, le vivace et le bel aujourd’hui’ recently? 😀
I love that Poe piece, fits so well and a wonderfully musical, avant-garde power-chorded version was done by crazy Norwegians Arcturus years ago.
Hi, I’m Emily Dickinson, I’m going to be brilliant in ten lines. I’m not jealous. Grumble. But Tennyson? I’m shocked. 😎
Awesome stuff, Jas. Really is amazing how so much brilliant verse perfectly encapsulates the soul of the show, its *humanity*.
Jas, you are wonderfull, this was so beautiful. I loved each and every piece and they were excellent and deep and true… *sniffle*
I *heart* you for this 🙂
I gotta add that I especially was taken with the first one from William Henley. That was lovely and very fitting with our two heroes. Also loved the ones from Poe and Frost. But they were all great, full of thought and grace. True brilliance. I have no words.
I love this site 🙂 This is love and peace and trust all over. And I’m not being sarcastic (sorry Dean) 😉
Hi Jasminka
Wow! This was wonderfull.
Thank-you so much.
Jasminka, you are a wonder!
So appropriate and moving for our brothers. Very emotion inducing. (sniffling desperately)
These are wonderful–haven’t had much time for poetry since college (when I was required to make time), but I’d have loved these even if I’d never heard of the brothers Winchester
I hope it’s okay that i didn’t read a single word that was written in this article because i was too occupied drooling over the pictures that accompanied each poems. :roll::
Beautiful, Jas…as always. Loved the poems, one and all, and SOOOOO much enjoyed the screen caps. So poignantly placed. Hope your holidays are happy and safe, and look forward to hearing from you next year.
Sablegreen, anene, elenaM, Bevie, Karen, Supernarttu and Randal, happy new year and thanks so much for your sweet comments!!
After a great vacation with the people most dear to me I returned safely home. To be able to live (almost) without a computer and the internet was actually not bad, there were so many things to do, time to spend with each other (some of them I hardly see twice a year due to working conditions… don’t get me started), so I find my batteries recharged and I’m ready for this year…
Randal, to my shame I have to admit I haven’t read Mallarme a lot… does Rimbaud count (that one I love)? And, hell, yes, Tennyson… you can’t be at all surprised, eh?
Last time I was in London I went (and I do every time) to the National Portrait Gallery and for the first time I saw a painting of the young Tennyson (they change the exhibited pieces, you know). I was stunned. It’s a great thing you can acquire a print of every painting they have, and he lives now in a frame on my wall, watching over my poetry books. Beautiful, beautiful man… Sorry for rambling… And, again – yes, Poe… beloved, tragic Poe… that poem is pure music….
Supernarttu, that poem by Henley is probably my favourite. Whenever I feel down or weak (it happens) I think of Invictus (you can hear me mumbling it) and it always reminds me of the energy that lives in my soul, and I feel better. Instant magic. ).
Karen and Bevie, I’m so happy to have been able to move you with these words… these poets were/are true masters…
elenaM, perhaps you should take those poetry books out again? I bet you’ll have fun re-discovering some…
anene, sweet… well, the great thing is, poems can be read again and again and again, hehehe….
Sablegreen, I’m happy you loved the poems and caps… The great thing about composing an article like this (and the credit goes to the poets, here, I only put it together) is – I’m allowed to insert pics I personally love… Writing for this site does have a lot of perks…
Thanks, y’all (getting better with the Southern accent),
Jas