A friend of mine died recently. Its interesting to read this poem in the wake of the passing of a girl who certainly did not go gentle into the night. Her passing was gentle and calm, but she did not go into the night. "Rage, rage against the dying of the light" explains how she went. She kept her light alive even after her body was not. She keeps her light alive, and she blazes like a meteor against the dark night sky.
This poem reminds me of my friend and inspires me to shine as she did.
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.
