Go Now So Gently Into That Good Night! Co-write With Sheila Kline

This image is in the public domain and is available for free use, without attribution.

 

We recently learned that a writer and friend of Writer’s Café is facing his final days with friends and family.  And in the knowledge that words are only words, and that oft times even the most graceful of words utterly fail, we offer our most heartfelt prayers.  Our deepest respect.

 

 

Go now so gently into that good night!

 

     Inspired by “Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night”, Dylan Thomas, 1914-1953

 

Go now so gently into that good night,

Unerring faith holds steady at night’s eve;

Soar, soar into the harbor of the light.

 

And at life’s end, the wise hold good as right,

And they revere the grace that good works weave;

Go now so gently into that good night.

 

And at death’s door, good men, they cry how bright

Their trust held strong, a pow'r that ne’er deceives;

Soar, soar into the harbor of the light.

 

Sage men encompass goodness in its might,

And virtue through that faith they do receive;

Go now so gently into that good night.

 

Brave men, near death, who have fought the good fight,

Their journey comes and yet they do not grieve;

Soar, soar into the harbor of the light.

 

And you, Dear Friend, now readied to take flight,

Rejoice with me as life doth take its leave;

Go now so gently into that good night.

Soar, soar into the harbor of the light.

 

 

©2017 Sheila Bowyer Kline & Richard Puetter

All rights reserved individually and together.

Note

 

Our poem is meant to honor and contrast with Dylan Thomas’ poem “Do not go gentle into that good night,” which is repeated below.

Do not go gentle into that good night

 

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.

 

 

From The Poems of Dylan Thomas, published by New Directions. Copyright © 1952, 1953 Dylan Thomas. Copyright © 1937, 1945, 1955, 1962, 1966, 1967 the Trustees for the Copyrights of Dylan Thomas. Copyright © 1938, 1939, 1943, 1946, 1971 New Directions Publishing Corp. Copyright provided free for educational use.

Reviews

[Vertigo Cat1111]

This is a gorgeous poem full of grand imagery and just so much goodness. This is beautiful and dreamy, reminding me of my actual dreams. It soars in its words, it takes flight exactly as you say. And then the darker parts are brilliant and the entire thing is just an amazingly well written. A great collaboration between two writers who know exactly how to tug at heart strings and use their words. Thank you for sharing!

[Ciara]

Superb! Very fine work, Poets.

[An owl on the moon]

Rick, I find myself reading and reading again. Such words that lift and bring a deep sense of peace. Have always appreciated your writing, and so thankful to see this collaboration with Sheila. Also, I truly appreciate the reflections inspired by Dylan Thomas. I am here before sunrise, already so inspired to live fully in this day, and to dread not the darkness.

[Robert Haigh]

I consider "Do not go gentle into that good night" to be the greatest Villanelle ever written, so you have chosen well here, for your inspiration. An interesting off-shoot, I'd say!

[Einstein Noodle]

hi Rick! I noticed a review you left on one of Christine's poems and had not seen you around. Read your about me and have to say i am intrigued .. i love the arts/science connection .. i think it is inevitable .. a very belated welcome to the Cafe' .. ;) the Dylan Thomas quote and poem are favorites of mine ... i am 72 and each day i wake i strive to hold fast what i have left .. but your poem is the groundwork and the reward .. i love it .. so inspiring ... this line especially for me:
"And at life’s end, the wise hold good as right," .. and you hold that theme throughout .. the value of a life lived making hard "good" choices lends the practice and cornerstone one must have, says i, to soar into the Light .. so glad to have met you and read this one .. i know of several people here who have passed on .. they are all missed eh!? ..a wonderful prayer and tribute ... courageous i would say ..
E.

[Davidgeo]

It's a fine line between influence and just straight riding the f**k out of somebodies coat tails.

[Rick Puetter]

Dave, I seem to have gotten you really angry at me. So sorry. This poem was not my idea at all. I got involved because Sheila asked me to participate, and this doesn't at all reflect my philosophical view of the world--see the featured review. But I do believe the end result of the poem is pretty good, perhaps not a masterpiece, but pretty good. And I'm not trying to prove anything here on WC, I just trying to have some fun. Anyway, I'm sorry you seem to be so mad. And I still like your poem very much. I thought it was excellent. That's why I gave it a 99. In my many years at WC, I think I've only given out a half-dozen 99 ratings. Anyway, that was one good poem in my opinion.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

My father and mother both went "gentle into that good night"---
at 97 and 92....they had both engaged in long productive lives and 70 years together.
Neither was a rabid poetry fan, but they both would have liked this poem for its rhythm and rhyme scheme.
It is appealing to that side of us that wants to find peace at the end. Hopeful.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Beautifully penned. A fine tribute to Dylan Thomas and a great contrast. I think a peaceful death far more appealing than fighting it tooth and nail, when it is inevitable. Good to read this collab.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I was talking to my daughter on the phone today about Dylan Thomas. She was telling me about a bar called The White Horse and it made me think of Thomas and his death. I like the transposition of the two pieces and I think you did a good job of offering a dissenting opinion. I've always said I want to burn out like an autumn leaf, every atom of my being, resplendent in color and beauty. That's the way to go. I enjoyed the read my friend, F.

[alanwgraham]

This is a great piece of work Rick. You have achieved in great style your aim of honouring and contrasting Dylan Thomas's great poem. Your friend would be proud of your achievement. A final parting is a time for reflection and although some rage against the dying of the light, hopefully some rejoicing too.
Recently I took up a similar challenge with a reworking of Burn's 'To a mouse' with some trepidation.
All the best,
Alan