DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT

News from the home front is that my wonderful dad is not long for this world. Terminal with cancer, he's fought it off 12 months longer than the 9 months they gave him a year ago last spring. But even he is not immortal, and in the twilight of his fight to survive, I am reminded of the words of the great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.

And now, to share them with you again as well.

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 http://www.bigeye.com/donotgo.htm