A response to Dylan Thomas’ incitement to rage
I will not rage against the dying of the light.
Pointless to rage – bemoan my coming death.
I shall go quietly into that last goodnight.
When rage is rightly tuned, rage is right.
Rage, rage against times wasted, now bereft.
I will not rage against the dying of the light.
Striking heroic poses, continuing the fight?
We’re powerless to prolong life’s determined debt.
I shall go quietly into that last goodnight.
Best, surely, to accept the hour’s come for flight.
To where? To up or down, to each I’m deaf.
I will not rage against the dying of the light.
My flight’s to somewhere out of sight.
No everlasting life awaits my final breath.
I shall go quietly into that last goodnight.
You, my Love, may recall the giddy heights
We’ve reached – each day in life defying death.
I will not rage against the dying of the light,
I shall go quietly into that last goodnight.