In recent times Invictus has been in the news, after the film of the same name, about Nelson Mandela. This poem is what sustained him through twenty seven years in jail. Penned by Victorian poet William Ernest Henley, who at the age of 12, contracted tuberculosis of the bone. A few years later, the disease progressed to his foot, and physicians announced that the only way to save his life was to amputate directly below the knee. It was his subsequent stoicism that inspired him to write this poem. And prevail. (partly from wikipedia)

This 'blackletter' typographic interpretation by Brazilian Jackson Alves matches the 'strong' tone of Henley's voice. Read about his thinking after the 'Copy' section below.

Copy-

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.

Jackson on his piece:

I decided to create this poster using blackletter because the 'strength' of this calligraphy style communicates the tonal 'strength' of the poem.

Jackson on Jackson:

Jackson Alves is a type designer, illustrator and teacher based in Curitiba, south of Brazil.