Do not go gentle into that good night (video)

On By Michele LeeIn Reading, recitation, Verse, Video
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.

Dylan Marlais Thomas was born on October 27, 1914, in Swansea, South Wales. Thomas was influenced by his English Literature professor father, who would often recite Shakespeare at home. He enjoyed the rhythmic ballads of Gerard Manley Hopkins, W.B. Yeats, and Edgar Allan Poe. Thomas did not follow in the academic footsteps of his father, rather he dropped out of school at sixteen to become a junior reporter for the South Wales Daily Post. By December of 1932, he left his job at the Post to concentrate full-time on his poetry. It was during this time, in his late teens, that Thomas wrote more than half of his collected poems.

In 1934 Thomas moved to London, won the Poet’s Corner book prize, and published his first book, 18 Poems (The Fortune press), to great acclaim. The book drew from a collection of poetry notebooks that Thomas had written years earlier.

Thomas married Caitlin Macnamara in 1937, and the couple had two sons and a daughter. His fame was rising in literary circles, but because he lacked business sense, he and his family lived in relative poverty. To support his family, Thomas did poetry readings, touring the United States four times. He also worked for the BBC and as a film scriptwriter during World War II (he was exempted from fighting due to a lung condition).

His most famous poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,” was published in 1952, but his reputation had been solidified years earlier. Thomas’ prose includes Under Milk Wood (1954) and A Child’s Christmas in Wales (1955). Thomas was in high demand for his animated readings, but debt and heavy drinking took their toll; he died of pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and a fatty liver a few days after his last appearance at City College in New York City at age 39.

Sources: https://poets.org/poet/dylan-thomas, https://www.biography.com/writer/dylan-thomas

Thank you for visiting, watching, and reading! Be well. 💗 Michele

Do not go gentle into that good night! Rage, rage against the dying of the light!

Sky photo: by Ricardo Reitmeyer Dylan Thomas Photo: Google images

© 2022 Michele Lee Sefton

85 thoughts on “Do not go gentle into that good night (video)”

    1. I am so happy to learn that. Thank you for being here, Ingrid. The poem has interesting structure that made it a challenge for me to memorize completely. 😄 A pleasure to read though. I love the energy of it! A sad early ending to a talented writer, yes. 😞

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    1. He looks older, doesn’t he? From what I read it does appear he drank heavily. Guess he did not go gentle into that good night!

      Thanks so much for asking, sweet Jessica. I had a wonderful time! Can’t wait to join them again. I will make the trip again when the weather cools. 💃🏻🌵💃🏼🌵💃🏽

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      1. Ha ha. You may be right…

        Oh, I am so happy you had a wonderful time. Nothing like spending time with friends. Did you see the moon tonight? Full moon here. The sky is so clear! Gorgeous moon.

        Liked by 1 person

  13. Another new-to-me poet, and a lovely piece. Such a young man when he died, it reads his life was hard, and I often wonder about artists like this, with all the difficulty of making a go of their passion, did they still find joy in it. I like to think they did, even up to their last breath. You’ve given me another awesome reflective afternoon, Michele. Thank you for this. 💖🌳

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    1. Happy to share a new/old one with you, Jeff. 😄 The life of a working artist is not an easy one, as history (and present day) has shown us time and time again. Bless those who let their passions burn, those who do not go gentle into that good night! 🌠 To their last breath… yes! A reflective afternoon-how wonderful! My pleasure and privilege, Jeff. 💖🌳

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  16. Thank you for sharing this one. I discovered this write right about the time I discovered a similar poem one by my favorite author, St. John Henry Cardinal Newman, called Lead, Kindly light, however my favorite write of his is called, Mission of my life. I- a simple man, was profoundly moved by it beyond mere words. Be blessed my friend.

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    1. Oh, my Kymbelina, I am grateful for you and your sprinkling of sweet fairy dusted words! 🧚🏽✨ Would be a treat to hear animated Thomas in person! I would toast to that! 🥂 I hope your weekend has delivered smiles and special moments. Thanks for doing the same here! 😊🤗💗

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      1. Michele my Belle, you are absolutely welcome my dancing queen. 💃🏻🎶💃🏽 You just delivered those smiles and special moments that brings me great joy girlfriend this evening. May your week be a FANtabulous one dawwwlinkkkkkk! 😍💖😘

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  24. Visiting his cottage and the shed where he did a great deal of writing, the coast so inspiring, it is easy to see how the south Wales coast inspired. I read Caitlin’s description of their life together ‘A warring presence’ some years ago. His use of words was so unique and distinct, almost impossible to mimic in any way.

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    1. I love the poet’s message and your energy is an equal match. Thank you, Jaya! 🌠 It was an enchanting and empowering read and his most memorable lines have left an impression on me. Do not go gentle into that good night, Wildcat. I have no doubt you will not! ❤️‍🔥

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  30. Pingback: Burn Brightly (w/audio) – My Inspired Life

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