Original Soul

Posted on by Reena Saxena

The mirror laughs; it’s only me
Not touching real with a barge pole
Eternal question – to be or not to be
like you? Am I a body, mind or soul?

Born alone, designed by circumstance
Criticise me softly, say it aloud
Is originality just a matter of chance?
I’m mis-shapen, broken – but unbowed.

There’s no regret, there are no tears
I survive both in sun and shade
with lessons learnt over the years
I’m hurt- but strong and unafraid

I know not what awaits me at the gate
Who makes the law, who writes the scroll
I’m not like you, but whatever my fate
I will always remain an original soul

Rhyme words borrowed from Invictus by Henley

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.

Written for MTB- Critique and Craft

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