"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul"
Line from "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley
We survived in spite of ourselves
the war took boys gave back men
shadows behind their eyes
the kind that linger in corners
even after lights come on
II.
it was a time of whispered grief
secrets kept in drawers
mothers who never wept
in front of their children
somewhere under linoleum floors
something tapped a rhythm not quite dead
III.
suburbs rose square and safe
white fences and welcome mats
televisions flickering promises in tidy living rooms
mothers baked pies, fathers mowed lawns
we pledged allegiance, kept our shoes polished
ducked and covered, hiding our dreams
IV.
i was forged in that era, but did not stay there
behind Sunday sermons and shiny Chevrolet coups
my soul tugged at the ropes
yearning to steer, learning to choose
i became master of my fate, captain of my soul
the world demanded it
i answered with a resounding “yes”