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 grieve 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.
Notes
DT's father was going blind when DT wrote this poem. The dying of the light is a reference to darkness and being blind.
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Comments
1 - 67 of 67
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Mom & Dad
From guest layla (contact)
I dearly miss you both! Dad-you fought so very hard. Mostly alone in your pain! But you raged against the misery without complaint. Momma, I miss your strength! I need you! I miss you! Mom died from the horrible pain of gangrene. Yet she kept her marvelous sense of humor. Dad passed away first after a long battle with colon cancer. He fought, and fought! Mom held the battle sheild and fought along side him all the way. Neither of my wonderful parents went easily in to the great good night. I will not fight the great good night if I have the opportunity to be with them soon. -
My Uncle
From guest Edward (contact)
We just buried my uncle. At the funeral, everyone spoke of how he had fought against the progress of the cancer that killed him with everything he had and yet still maintained a cheerful, friendly outgoing personna all the while. I remembered this poem from high school (40 years ago), (though I always thought it was by Robert Frost) and I thought of how he fought to his last breath against the dying of the light. -
Farrah
From guest John Orser (contact)
I saw Farrah repeat, "Do not go gentle into that good night" just now on TV. She was gentle in nature, but she fought the night with all of her strength. In so doing she gave us an example of how to live, even when she approached the end of her life. We should all wish to be as strong as she was, to be as loved as she was, and now as remembered as we will all remember her. No farewells for Farrah, only "So long for now." Rest in peace, you've earned it. -
an old stray
From guest Art Weeks (contact)
I wanted to hear this poem again as I was in a sad mood after I came across an old stray cat in its last throes on a Hollywood parking lot but reading some of the comments here, especially those of Steven Lackland, I want to say to all those that persevere, keep on and keep up the fight. Do not go gentle. -
lovely
From guest khanyisile (contact)
i read this poem in high school and loved it completely. for me its about living truthfully, honestly and fully hence not going getle but working very hard and leaving a mark on this world. it reminds us to be transparent in our living, we only sleep when we are dead.. -
Notes
From guest Steven Lackland (contact)
At the end of the poem it gives reference as to the meaning of it. Dylans' Father was going blind. I have terminal cancer and use this poem as my "FIGHT SONG" while waging this losing battle. I think it is wonderful that one man wrote something for someone so dear to his heart and it , still, touches each person that reads it in a different, very personal way. My legacy will not be as grand...... -
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On listening to a recitation of this poem I was astound by the introduction which said this was written about the onset of blindness in Dylan Thomas' father. Death was only a secondary prompt to him.
With hindsight this is obvious but the parallels with death are so strong as to blot out what should have been so clear. -
From guest carrie (contact)
to rage, to fight, to live life fiercely till the last dying breath, go not gentle, hold on, never give up -
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Very Inspiring
From guest Terry (contact)
I feel this poem is about dying and death but more about his own (dylan thomas) His alcoholism is what he was raging about, thus each stanza repeatedly begs to rage against the dying of the light is his way of telling himself to not give in to the indulgence of drinking,but to fight. He differentiates between me men by labeling them as good, wise ,wild and grave who has succumbed to alcoholism pleading with them to rage against what will ultimately cause them to go gently into that good night. -
Is about how to live more than how not to die
From guest Pamela (contact)
The poet is saying live fully until you live no more, he's warning against becoming lazy and laxed with age. His point is not to let the passions which lit our youth go out with age. -
Beautiful
Rage is against the old age but against night its worning because rage is against the dying of the light.oldage is frustrating but we are moving towqrds it without having any intention to do so. -
Sounds Cool
From guest Uriah Diaz (contact)
but what does it mean.
i'm not fully grasping the feel and direction of this poem. Maybe im not giving it my undivided attention. -
ONE OF MY FAVORATE
has held me captive since the sixetys -
what apoem
From guest itsing (contact)
my cousin died on the 4th November 2008,his name is Thabo Tladi.I read out this poem in his honor,what a brave fighter.To the bitter end he fought his illness,to the very end he fought death and there i stood at his bedside.What a man what a fighter,he eventually lost his battle and went into that good night rage,rage, rage against the dying of the light.I loved so much.. -
Dylan Thomas was such an inspiring writer. I love the way he inspires me to really think about what he's written.
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I am struck by the freedom of the poem, how the lines have no uniform structure but take form and rhythm from the natural pauses and expression of the words. For example the first line reads so naturally, then the second one holds the notes of "burn" and "rave" giving the true rhyrhm of the poem...from the need to say the words with the wonderful meanings that they have. Some writers have essentially invented the idea that this poem has an strict meter...I notice that even the syllables are not even [unless you really do say "meet-yers" instead of "me-te-ors"],exactly the way it should be...the way a song would be sung reciting the meaningful words in an artistic way...showing the listener or reader something creative. To me, this is a wonderful villanelle form because of the freedom within it..expression over form...PK
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Question?
I am just confused by your comment. You said you like the freedom of the poem and how it has no uniform structure. However in the end you call it a wonderful villanelle.
A villanelle is one of the most strict forms of poetry not only is there structure but it is complex. The way that this poem was put together may make it seem free but that is why it is so great because it is such a strict form yet flows perfectly. By thinking there is no structure you lose much of the art of the poem.
FYI: A villanelle is nineteen lines long, consisting of five tercets and one concluding quatrain. Not to mention its rhyme scheme.
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From guest S (contact)
I went to a memorial this past weekend where the man who talked during the service gave referance to this poem. My broter in law died after a long illness, he fought so hard, he was so angry that he was nearly impossible to be around. This brilliant man who spoke compared his behavior to this poem, and said the last few years he was simply raging against death. And he could only imagine that in his final hour he couldn't rage anymore. I had never heard this poem, or even of Dylan Thomas, however I am forever curious now. And I am greatful to have heard that beutiful memorial service. It will be what I think of everytime to help make sense of this. -
Life in General
From guest Chris (contact)
I don't think it is about dying as much as living. My father has hit his 60's and spends all day in his study on his computer surfing for who knows what. He doesn't want to go anywhere, he doesn't want to do anything, he chastises me for running marathons and joining the national guard. He has gone quietly into that good night. I will NOT! -
I think this poem is telling us to live our lives to the fullest...don't let old age stop us..it is never too late...Love the poem..it is one of my favorites since first I read it long ago...back in the dinasaur age... L)
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Extreemly well written
From guest LoveSpell-PurpleRose (contact)
I really think that this is a wonderful rhyme poem. It say's everything that needs to be said in a poem about dying as well as the night. This is a wonderful write. LoveSpell-PurpleRose -
From guest Interested Guy (contact)
Does anybody know if this poem was originally written in Welsh and if it was where I can find a copy of the original welsh version? -
I've heard this soo many times but never knew who is it written by..but now I knew and I must say it's one of the romantic ones I've heard..absolutely one of my fav.
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Please, Please, Please
You have a wonderful site. I use it to research form poetry examples. Your line count feature is very valuable. If I want a villanelle I look for 19 line poems. BUT IT MUST BE CORRECT! This is likely the most famous villanelle of all time. Villanelles have 19 lines (so does this villanelle) yet you claim it has 23 lines. Please correct this one and (I know this is daunting but it needs to be done check the rest of your database as well.)
I try to point them out as I come on them (4 so far today)
Do not dismiss me as a hater I love what you provide for us but inaccurate info is worse than no info!
Bryan -
This is probably most people's introduction to Dylan Thomas, being backwards my first was "Under Milk Wood." which is probably not included here for it's rather a long play/poem. Anyway, first time I read this it gave me that chill, the one we get when something that close hits us.
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Do not fear death, it is just a completion. Live life to your maximum ability and leave when your time is up. A lovely poem and another one I cannot keep in my memory, Its full.
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aah, one of my favorite poems of all time. I tried to memorize this near the end of my spat of memorizing poems, and it's never stuck with me... I like of like the mysterious grappling at words I get when I try to remember it though...
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do not give up easily on life!
just because we grow older doesnt mean we have to grow up and lose our youthfulness. take care of yourself its all you have. -
an anthem
From guest woody (contact)
While this poem may appear to be a call against death in peace, I see it as an anthem against death looking like an old person. Death is inevitabe. However, when you go, you shouldn't look like you deserved to die. If you take care of yourself, use moisturizer, eat properly, exercise, and do all the things doctors have told you to do, your skin can be smooth and clear, and your hair can be flaxen although maybe gray. You will look good laying in your coffin and not like the mummy of filmdom. Fight against aging. Stay young, or young looking, for as long as you can. Do not go gentle into age. -
Thank you Dylan....
From guest Dan Rickard (contact)
As I was lying in my hospital bed waiting to die, a nurse brought this poem to me. all the doctors said I would die the infection from the open heart surgery had spread to my lungs, heart and blood. I had read this poem before but now I understood... Something inside changed when I read it again.. I was once again the Warrior I was in my youth.. I am alive today against all odds. So once again let me say Thank-you for reminding me to never go gentle into that good night.. -
Look Smaller
From guest Heather (contact)
I see this so much finer than life and the end of it..."Do not go gentle into that good night". Fight for yourself and what you believe in. People will try to take that from you, and rage, Rage, Rage. Defend, stand up for yourself and your beliefs and your actions. Do not go quiet, for that is acquiescence. You cannot take from me what I do not give. -
POEM
From guest ARIANNE RUTH (contact)
magnificent work!it is a sublime for me because it stood boundaries and has a very good lesson...nice! -
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Enduring
From guest Asa Don Brown (contact)
Reality is what one makes of it, and how they react is their reality. Carpe Diem Asa -
I believe I shall go
From guest Ronald (contact)
Death is the door and I shall walk through it. It is the next step and I shall not fret myself because of it. To the prepared man, it is but the next step and the new beginning. -
Brilliant Poem
From guest jay (contact)
yes go kicking & screaming. but not for the reasons expressed in this work. Just Live life to the fullest and die not in your bed but doing something you enjoy like chasing tornados -
I love it every time
it's always a honor to read the work of Dylan Thomas, one I would always come back again and again to remember where I first heard that voice of a poet, truly a spectacular poet of one I would never tire to scroll through his words of perfection, truly honored to read again. -
Do Not Go Gentle Into that Good Night
From guest Aaron (contact)
I've often thought that in this poem we have a young man throwing a "staff of words" to his elderly father. A staff by which to drivew back the encroaching night of death. And yet, for all he amy rage,he cannot undo the inevitable dying of the light. While there is hope of life and breath We must fend off the hounds of death. -
DYLAN
GOOD,' -
magnificent
From guest edwardo (contact)
such a powerful poem, being young it gives great insight to the power of old age and the perception of nearing fatality -
Beautiful
This is one of my all-time favourites; such a strong poem, but with a softer and more gentle touch in the final verse.
I also love villanelles, for their unusual pattern and lovely rhyme scheme. They are so hard to write though! -
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60
From guest Marv wainberg (contact)
As I have just turned the big 60, Dylan Thomas's words give me an uplifting feeling that there is more to do - much more! -
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cool
From guest lee (contact)
This is a great quote with a nice flow to it and really fires you up. The best reading of this poem is in Back To School with Rodney Dangerfeild. -
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by Dylan Thomas
From guest Geraldine (contact)
This is a very strong, moving comment by Dylan Thomas. It never fails to stir me whenever I read it. -
Profound
From guest Robert (contact)
I like the way he can extract the essences of the subjects which he has so specifically chosen. Very profound. Adding his father just brings a tear to my eye -
Angle of approach
From guest Mark Pratt (contact)
I agee with all of those who rightly look at this poem from a biographical point of view, but would add that Thomas may be celebrating the wonders of life. We should rage against the dying of the light because life is so precious and worth living. It is not only death that we should rage against, but life that we should rage for. Carpe Diem as the Romans might have said. -
Wonderful poem
From guest Sandra Dee (contact)
I love this poem it's one of my fav's, check out, from he went gentle by Geraldine Rubia. -
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please
From guest babette (contact)
please explain what this phrase means do not go gentle into that good night,rage,rage against the dying of the light? -
I wrote an essay about this poem when I was in 10th grade..Excellence in true form! I shall lend this to my Great-Aunt, who just turned 92 last October!
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DEEP BUT VERY MEANINGFUL
DYING IS NOT EASY. ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR THERE SEEING THEM DIE FIGHTING IT. BRINGS BACK MEMORIES FOR ME. -
From guest Ali G (contact)
Here it is boys for help No need to say thx 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. My understanding of this is that Thomas may have actually accepted the Christian concept of death as that 'good night', yet refers to it not no so much in vai sarcasm as a dismissal - yes, death may be the 'good night' but it does not mean acquiesence to its inevitability. He also links death to the 'close of day', to 'the dying of the light' - so death is both a night and a darkness as oppossed to the day and light of living - finally the use of 'burn and rave' suggests a fever or delirium - immediately showing you his father either in the grips of illness, but perhaps not 'raving' but quiet. 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. Wise men know at the end of their alloted time death is inevitable, yet for all their wisdom (and wise words) they know that they cannot avoid - they do not acquiesce - This in my humble opinion is the most tricky line of the poem: "Because their words had forked no lightning they Do not go gentle into that good night." - does this suggest their words would not lighten their path into the dark of death? Or tongues and forked - suggesting that somehow they lie to themselves in their wisdom that "dark is right" and that this sheds no light, so they do not go gentle? Tis a difficult one. 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. Good men weeping over what furture deeds could have achieved, however frail they may have been, again in a juxtapositioning of the dancing, light of a green bay (the living) - they also struggle against dying 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. Wild men, full of life and song, catching the sun, the temporal, the changing of the day (as if life is one long day from dawn to the dying dusk), and yet realise the temporal nature of their actions too late, grieve perhaps that this was their only focus as the dusk approached, they too fight death 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. Grave (serious) men, who only in death with now age/illness blinded eyes realise that those eyes could have blazed with life and joy when they had the time, if they had but enjoyed the joys of living more, now they too will fight the dying as they realise too late, too late. 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. And finally he asks his father - upon a 'sad height' evoking a painful acknowledgement of his loneliness (where he goes Thomas cannot follow) and also evoking an image almost of sacrifice - 'curse (and) bless me now' - curse me for my having life still to live and bless me for that as well - and finally he begs him to also fight the inevitable. In summary it seems to me that too often much is made of Thomas anger/rage at death - I believe he actually acknowledges its inevitability and purpose in this poem - and yet he lists why all men, whether wise, good, carefree or serious should struggle against death for the sake of it - this rings true then with slightly mythic background behind this poem which has Thomas composing it as he sees his father on his deathbed apparently giving up this same final struggle. -
On Dylan Thomas and this villanelle
I would like to offer a biographical note which may aid in understanding Dylan's composition of this. In his biographical sketches of poets, *Their ancient glittering eyes,* Donald Wood describes a moment when he tells Dylan that his villanelle,"Do Not Go Gentle," was his favourite.
"He shook his head again. 'Why don't you like it?' I said.
'Because I didn't write it,' he said.
When he said it, I understood him. 'You mean Yeats,' I said. I remembered Robert Frost asking,"Who wrote this poem?" at Bread Loaf. Dylan nodded his head: The language came from Yeats, he said."
(Hall,1992 59).
I concur with the many comments already posted. I only beg to differ, when woven into the dialogue of the film, "Independence Day," even though it may have been misquoted or appropriated improperly, this is within a certain tradition of weaving and blending thought, expression, art and more from past contributions to create an ever-changing and vibrant culture. -
I agree with almost everyone interpretation of this poem, it's not so hard to interpret rather just very difficult to write. Someone said this poem says to welcome death, "that good night." But that line clearly starts with Do Not. I think his father is in an almost comma state. I picture him at his bedside praying/hoping his father will let a tear fall to symbolize that he hasn't given up.
That's my 2 cents.. -
among my all time favorites! it goes in the lines of "don't think there are no crocodiles because the water is calm".... i need to remind myself this over and over....
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excellent
I understand this poem because I want to ask my aging father to rage against the dying of the light! I don't want him to go into the good night... -
I always feel that he is raging against old age and how it has diminished his Fathers strength and courage. He wants him to fight against the inevitable, for him to shout and rally against him as he once did, but then realises this is never going to happen again. It's melancholy feel is sad as with this particular fight no-one wins.
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Love It!
I feel a sense of immense personal will and conviction. A verve for life...to go before he's wrung the very last particle of pleasure in living will find him kicking and sreaming and dragging his feet to slow the comeuppance of the inevitable.I see this poem being read with vehemence, with flexed jaw muscles and fire in his eye. The line:
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Is quoted in and of itself and has become nearly synonymous with a zest for living. -
Powerful
Having lost my father recently this poem breaks me. So typical of Dylan the the lyrical quality of the Welsh. One cannot just read it, it demands to be declaimed with passion. Dylan Thomas is a favourite. Under Milkwood is also well worth a read. -
This is such a powerful poem. I cannot read it without starting to declaim it forcibly. To me it is both an afirmation of hope and a rage against the inexorable encroachment of death.
On the one hand the poet urges the fight against giving into the urge for a peaceful end to life and on the other I feel he realises hope is useless.
Whatever the truth it is great poetry.
It may or may not be a true villanelle, ignore the technicality and feel the power of the piece.
Jim Saville -
I liked his flow
This was a good villanelle (sp?) one of the first I read. This is a powerful and strong poem 'Light' I feel represents life and 'night' represents death I think he used iambic pentameter, which I liked (how can you tell if it's an iambic? I can't tell the difference between hard and soft beats
) Was this written to his father when his father was dying?
Pozo
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This has been one of my favorites for sometimes now.
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one of my favorite, and his other work has always intrigued me, and many of the others that shared their thoughts about Dylan's work particularly this one, brings us closer to understand one of the greatest Welsh writers back then, still a wonder to read every time~
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The movie where they mention this villanelle is gangsters paradise.
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Dylan Thomas is one of my all-time favourite poets. I was fortunate, while staying with friends in Swansea (Wales) to follow the "Dylan Thomas Trail" which led from his birthplace, via his favourite pubs to the "Boathouse" and "Shed" in Laugharne (where he
slaved over much of his later poetry) to his grave.
This poem, inspired by thoughts of his dying father, is one of his finest and, I believe, his only attempt at the villanelle form.
Edited on Oct 06, 3:38 because ''. -
I love this poem, I had never heard it before I had to study it at school, and soon fell in love with it. I love the structure, being a villanelle, and the age that Thomas wrote this, I thought it was specatacular. It is an inspirational piece written at a hard time in a persons life.
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i remeber this poem from a movie i once say cant remember the name of the movie but someone here does hopefully but i love the poem at least and the movie
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This is one of the best Villanelles I have ever read, if not the best. The power of his words, and the quality of their usage gives this piece the eternal power and longlivity that is the mark of a true poet.
This is such a fantastic piece. -
This is one of my favorite poems. I used lines from it in my yearbook quote in high school. Two references to Thomas read in a space of ten minutes earlier promted me to revist. And now, I suspect I shall be on a Thomas kick. Lyrical.. I can hear the Welsh lilt.
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Excellent
one of the best writes about existentialism that i have read.
~Kate -
I am so happy to find a thoroughly famous villanelle.
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An absolutely cracking poem.I did it for A level (many years ago now). A fine example of the influence of the Welsh preaching oratory tradition on Thomas. The power of the poem is in the contrast between the style of the public voice and the very personal subject matter- The death of his father. The contrasts are also evident in the poem -'Curse, bless"- 'fierce tears'. These contrasts are used to reflect complex and contradictory views we have on death. We are told to welcome going to a better place 'that good night', but ultimately we want to hang on to life 'Though wise men at their end know dark is right...they do not go gentle into that good night'. The refrain gives the poem exellent rhythm and pace. The style and imagery, together with the use of contrasts, can be compared with Yeats. Yes, I never got line 8. Don't get too hung up on it. As Thomas said just 'love the words'
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I am studying this poem for an exam and find it to be very cleverly created. It is a pleading poem for his father not to go quietly without a fight. A couple of the lines are difficult to interpretate especially line 8, anyone got thoughts on this please? I wonder if Dylan went quietly without a fight lol.
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This was a poem I presented as a part of a British Literature Final Exam. Although simplistic, I feel that Thomas was talking about not giving up. Fighting untill the bitter end. He had his own demons he was fighting as well....
Alcohol and prolonged time away from his beloved Wales, had taken its toll. He desired and wished (I believe) his father's blessing for his efforts, but never got them. The passion in this piece. the angst, is true and real.
Thomas was a writer's writer. plainly and simply. How many 14 year olds do we know who could be a reporter for a newspaper (albeit a small one), writing was his destiny whether his father realized it, approved of it or not. Thomas finally gave up trying to please his father and lived for himself. It's a shame that the alcohol killed him. So he tells us to not give up, and follow our dreams and seek our destiny.
This is but my humble opinion of a great poet. I love Thomas' work. Does it show?? LOL
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Dylan was one of the best 20th century poets, and this one in the top ten of his works, what should be remembered is that this piece was bastardised for the 'Presidents speech' in Independance day.
I will always come back to read this. -
I have already left a comment here, one of the few I dare to make in Oldpoetry, and I doubt there is much more I could say in a new one that I did not say in the previous one..
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These old poems by the greats are really so inspiring. Thanks to whomever posted it!!! It gives faith to those who struggle to write!!
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i've always loved this poem. it's words are so powerful. such a desperate plea.
gRemLin -
This is one of those poems I have read so many times and still come back to as though it was the first. This piece of work and its underlying meaning has had so many uses/interpretations throughout the years. Amazing how so many continue to learn from it. Although I had read this in prior times, it has been one of the more popular pieces to show up in pop culture movies such as, "Dangerous Minds," "Rennaissance Man" sp?, and "Back to School"... The only sadness of that is, many times its meaning for which Thomas intended is lost at times by being read versus listened to and really heard with its passion.
Thanks so much for showing this. Again, I loved it as much as the first time. -
This is a thought provoking poem, enjoyed the read.
Red -
Do not go gentle to that good night.
Be like a meteor to light it up.
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Well, I can cross this off my list of classic poems to read. I'm ashamed to admit I hadn't read it until tonight- and now I see why everyone loves it.
They are definately words to live by. -
Woooo, This poem is on my authors page as my all time favourite! Thank you for posting it where more people may read it!
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Excellent
No matter how many times I read this piece of work, I will never be able to say that I fully understand it for I wonder if we can ever understand the words of the poet, let alone begin to delve into the mind of one retired to the grave.
As to meaning though, I have always taken an image of looking till the end at the meaning the depth and the actions of our lives, ever striving to do the best we could and make a wave in the time we are given here. We get one chance at this life to make something from it.. and going gentle for me means that we did not take that path traveled that would allow us to look back as we lay on that death bed waiting that we had done all we could. For me it's a plea to remember our time here is short and that each moment we waste, we may regret, that each frivilous thing we desired but never risked, words we left unsaid may come calling as we go into that night. Rage at what we have not done, always aspire to a higher goal, never let it be called done but keep trying til that last moment takes us forever to sleep. -
My opinion is that Thomas was using his father's death to help demonstrate to others that they should not go peacefully. I see this poem as Thomas only teaching others, not lashing out at his father for dying. He was upset about his father's death, but not angry. His father's death was only the basis for the poem. There was a deeper meaning behind it. People should fight for their lives, he said. "Do not go gentle into that good night; Rage, rage against the dying of the light." There are so many things to live for, and by going peacefully, you are not living life to its full potential. Be active until your last breath. Don't give in so easily. Don't quit while you're ahead; keep on pursuing your life and live in happiness.
Also, anybody who is offering their opinion about a work is never wrong; everybody has their own background, their own views, their own experiences. Opinions are going to vary, and there will be people who disagree with another's opinion; however, each person is entitled to their own opinion and by reading someone else's, we can see another light. That's what makes poetry so important and so special- it helps people to know and learn about a whole new view and belief. -
neutral
Beyond me and beneath him to actually rate this poem, but I do think that this is about more than death, and more than his father. I feel it more about not waiting, not letting time make you wait. Constantly raging through life without complacency, without pause. I guess for me this is more about the changes of age than dying. -
neutral
Awesome use of the villanelle - to take a gentle italian folksong rhythm and turn it into this tirade against the inevitability of death. After this, go find his 'and Death shall have no dominion'
Iain aka Morgan -
excellent
...and why not rage against the dying of the light?, YOU have nothing left to lose. Be not a simperer, do not die in whimper. -
don't touch it!
Good poem bou hiz pops but he iz mad bout hiz popz death and he missez him and so forth so PEACE -
neutral
You are all wrong. You can't just say there is a greater meaning and then not tell what it is. Dylan was trying to tell people not to be docile and accept their fate. He was trying to say that nothing is set in stone and you can make your own fate. -
This I agree with you all is a very powerful poem with an even more deeper meaning and point behind it.
Jen
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