Do not go gentle into that good night
by Dylan Thomas
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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2 comments:
I had read this poem in my youth, when it changed my perspective of "old people". My grand parents were opposites in how they were dealing with old age. Grandma was a strong willed woman of pioneer stock, who made all foods from scratch; bread, pies, chicken (yes she would catch the chicken out in the back coop and...) and was clearly not giving up in any way to her aging limitations. Grandpa seemed resigned to the fate of aging and was an empty shell of a man telling stories and going through the motions of a few daily chores.
Now I've outlive my Grand Mother and the poem has new meaning for me... its about my choices on how to live the rest of my life. I've chosen the path of rage rather that resignation. I've gone back to school for my masters degree, and planning for my next career.
This poem stuck in the back of my mind for several decades, patiently waiting for me to remember and recognize its true meaning and impact on my choices in life.
I like the fact that you are commenting on your own post--it sets up a kind of layer in your blog in which you are a reader as well as the author.
I see you have developed a new blog and have changed your address in my blog so that others in the class can get there.
Ono my next "visit," I'll add a poem, acutally a quotation from Wordsworth's Tinturn Abbey.
cheers,
Meg
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