Go Now So Gently Into That Good Night! Co-write With Rick Puetter

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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.

Author's Note

I began working on this adaptation in January, 2017 and since Rick Puetter and I have several co-writes based on poems made famous by other well known writers, I requested his assistance in advancing the poem, which has evolved from my original concept of an antithesis to an adaptation of Dylan Thomas' poem.

I offer sincere thanks to Rick Puetter for his patience and insight into getting this piece to the point of presentation. When it is our time to take leave, may we each "Go now so gently into that good night"!

Reviews

[AYVID N]

Dear Sheila,
My spirit is so uplifted, reading this poem.We will all be taken by that soft, soothing night, how much better it would be to step into its velvety folds gently and with grace. I compliment you and Mr. Rick Puetter on this finely crafted, spiritual masterpiece. Sending you such love and prayers now...

[Sheila Kline]

Your words are appreciated! And yes, I hope to go as this!! Sending you love and prayers as well!!

[AYVID N]

Its such a blessing to read you and be your friend!

[emmajoygreen]

In writing your words, you and Rick took the sting from the original poem, however it's interpretation and offered it to those who needed, need and will need to slip into the night with hands held and sweet memories left. Your writing offers more than you perhaps know. Sincere thanks to both of you. 2023

Wishing you a gentle, fun, beautiful Christmas, dear long time friend.

[Ted Kniffen]

Just caught this one, Sheila. The title caught my eye, being a fan of Thomas'. You and Rick did a great job of putting your own spin on a very famous poem and gave it a different twist. The basis of the original is for resistance to 'the good night' while this one is for acceptance of the 'harbor of the light'.
Good write.

[Sheila Kline]

Thank you Ted! This started out as an antithesis, and that proved to be quite a challenge, so the end result presented the message of the opposite. The harbor of the light is a safe place to be as we go gently now into that good night!

[Patrick Ramsey]

Very nicely done. Very encouraging and optimistic!

[Norman 223]

By retaining the villanelle structure, this antithesis of Dylan Thomas's anger becomes poignant and
yet comforting. A credit to the empathy of both writers in this collaboration.

[Sheila Kline]

Thank you for your kind words on behalf of myself and Rick! We wanted to take that dying soul into the safe harbor of comfort......

[Tom]

Acceptance is a trait to be admired and honoured, a life well lived has nothing to fear on completion!

Powerfully penned Sheila, effervescent with spiritual fulfilment and glad tidings!

[Sheila Kline]

Thanks my friend! As much as we might not want to accept that death shall come, there is no way we shall evade it. It is the life beyond that is most important!!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

fear not, death---as in Dickinson's "because i could not stop for death"--
let death be a gentleman caller taking us on that last ride----one we are ready to embrace.

j.

[Sheila Kline]

A quote from one of my favorite poems by Emily Dickinson; have used it as inspiration in at least one of my poems. We get too busy, too self assured and forget that we shall all settle the tally with the Grim Reaper one day! I like your reference to death as a gentleman caller - "Are you going out for the evening my Lady? You say no, but I have plans for the two of us at The Cemetery Cafe" My hearse is waiting...........LOL

[Coyote Poetry]

Both poems. Amazing. I liked the old Poets. Their words left us with words and knowledge for us to learn from. You two did a outstanding job. Thank you Lydia for sharing your words and the legend.
Coyote

[Sheila Kline]

Thanks John on behalf of Rick and myself! I too like the work of old poets, and often use their works as inspiration; Poe, Dickinson, Shakespeare, the list goes on and on..........
Best to you,
Sheila

[barleygirl]

Sorry I haven't been on this website for the past few months, so I've missed reading you. I'm trying to catch up on dozens of read requests, but I'm glad I skipped ahead to this one from you. This is a very well done collaboration, nicely explained, & also I like that you include the Dylan Thomas piece as well. I like the way you've held true to the basic structure of the original with rhyme & rhythm & phrasing style. Your title is off-the-charts as far as being reminiscent of the original, yet with the opposite meaning, & perfectly crafted to have the same rhythmic meter. I am very much in favor of the idea of giving the dying permission to go . . . it's well documented how the dying need that to "let go" & find comfort. I also really like the meaning of this line: "Soar, soar into the harbor of the light."

[Sheila Kline]

It's good to have you back again and to have you review this co-write. So many of us fight the idea of death, I wanted to present the opposite of that presented by Dylan Thomas as he spoke to his father....fight, fight, fight; we chose to "soar, soar, soar" with grace to that which is inevitable with knowledge that one's legacy lives on!

[poetdoug]

Yes, Yes, Yes--I love the positiveness of your version.As a minister, I have always looked for suitable readings for Memorial services--this certainly fills the bill of that and more.
Onward!--Doug

[Sheila Kline]

Your kind words are appreciated!! May we each "Go Now So Gently Into That Good Night" when it is our time to pass from this world.......

[poetdoug]

amen to that. thanks.