Top 100 or so Poems -- "Do not go gentle into that good night" - by Dylan Thomas

Continuing with our 100 Best series, it would be impossible to leave out the great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. His unusual style and carefully executed play with words is credited with influencing a wide range of great American poets and artists/musicians including the Beats, Bob Dylan (Zimmerman's last name was in fact changed to Dylan in honor of the poet), and Paul McCartney and John Lennon, to name just a few.

A drunken carouser and womanizer, as well as an early "performance poet" -- these images have cemented a rather romantic image into peoples minds - and in fact served to be a major part of his legacy of influence.

Thomas in fact died in New York as part of the burgeoning art scene in New York City - he was staying at the famous Chelsea Hotel at the time of his untimely death - and was known to hang out with the local poets of the time in the early 50's.

This poem is perhaps his most famous, and was written for/to his dying father in 1952, and was in fact one of his last poems. Enjoy this one, it deserves it's place on the list.

Do not go gentle into that good night

by Dylan Thomas

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.

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