Do not go gentle

Although I’ve blogged very personal events of my own life, I avoid blogging about other people’s lives, even when it has a major effect on my life. I haven’t felt it was my story to blog, but another reason things have been so hectic around here and will continue to be for a while is the traumatic death of my
stepson, Ted Sanders.

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.

17 thoughts on “Do not go gentle”

  1. There is a raw sadness in this poem I always think Loren. I imagine you are feeling both of these things now and trying to work through them. Love from here in the UK.

    1. Yes, it’s that combination of raw sadness and defiance that drew me to the poem when I first encountered it in college. It’s one of the first, and the few, poems that I’ve memorized.

      Even then it seemed “authentic” to me.

      1. It has always been one of the poems I loved the most. So very sorry for your loss Loren. Take care!

  2. Thanks, Loren. And I apologize for not saying this earlier: thanks so much for being such a great support for Leslie. It’s crystal clear to everyone involved that you have made a huge difference in her life and your help is obvious as she tries to deal with this tragedy. It’s an honor to have you as part of the family.

  3. I’m very sorry to hear this, Loren, every dying-too-young being its own form of outrage. I’m glad you honored your stepson’s memory with this fierce and lovely poem.

  4. I am also sorry for your loss. I was astonished when I saw your entry as this very same day I sent this poem to a friend. Some coincidence.

  5. I’m very sorry to see this. Thanks for sharing the Face Book page, it gave me a sense of the wonderful person he must have been and was filled with so much love. Pass my sympathies on to Leslie.

  6. Loren, I’m so sorry for you loss. That poem speaks to me too, so clearly. Look after yourself and your loved ones.

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