- 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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Very recently I was introduced to the music of Charlie Winston. This haunting song “She went quietly” was used in episode 809 “Dark Was The Night” of Grey’s Anatomy. The song reminded me of the above Dylan Thomas’ poem.
In some regards, both song and poem are about the struggle to live… to have one’s life. Whether to have one’s life for oneself that is not defined by others or routine, or simply not to fall prey to death and to live another day. Both encourage (in my mind) to fight for the life that is yours and not to make excuses to anyone… not even to yourself.
When I reflect specifically upon the song, I can acknowledge that it is about the loss of someone meaningful from a person’s life. It is not just about the loss of someone meaningful, however.
The song is about the active decision to leave without explanation… and also that return too does not always provide explanation for departure.
Life is sometimes this way… We must cut immediate ties without explanation with some people whom we love dearly in order to move forward… and hope in the future that we can apologize… and hope that they will understand.
I suggest, remembering that, at one point or another, you will be or have been on either the giving or receiving end of this action… and then move forward yourself, taking confidence in yourself and your goals.
Until next time!
Best,
D.
…But she went quietly
She didn’t make a sound
She went quietly
With the wish not to be found
She went quietly
Without a word of where
Just a note that wrote
“Forgetting is easier”
Out of the blue in the pouring rain
To my doorstep, old and cold, today she came
With her story
I asked her in but she declined
Had just one single thing to get off her mind
And that was sorry.
-Charlie Winston (“She Went Quietly”)