The Sunday Challenge ~ Featuring Richard Schear

It is my pleasure to introduce the man we all know as Kay L. Davies' husband, the elusive photographer, Richard Schear.  We have all taken great delight in his work adorning the Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel, so I requested permission to share some of his pictures on Real Toads.  

Richard and Lindy

Richard Schear is a retired school teacher, now selling Registered Education Savings Plans. About 400 of his former students have "friended" him on Facebook, which could mean he taught them well. Or not. He raised four children and four stepchildren. Later in life, he married Kay Davies, who introduced him to scenic photography, now a hobby they share. Richard also referees high school basketball and football.

Richard Schear

I asked Richard to share his favourite poem with us, and he selected Invictus, by William Ernest Henley.

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. 

To listen to the poem read by Morgan Freeman, in the movie of the same name, click HERE.

Richard Schear

Richard's scenic photography shows an unerring eye for composition, and a real appreciation of the natural world.

Richard Schear

“If your plan is for one year plant rice. If your plan is for ten years plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years educate children. ”
― Confucius

Richard Schear

Richard has generously offered these beautiful photos for our poetic inspiration.  If you add an image to your post, please acknowledge the name of the artist.

The Sunday Challenge is posted on Saturday at noon CST to allow extra time for the creative process, so please do not link up old work which kind of fits the image.  I will only respond to poetry written specifically for this prompt: this is in the spirit of our Real Toads project to create opportunities for poets to be newly inspired.