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

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

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

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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.

© 2017 Sheila Kline


Author's Note

Sheila Kline
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"!








My Review

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Featured Review

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...

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Sheila Kline

6 Years Ago

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

6 Years Ago

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



Reviews

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.

Posted 5 Months Ago


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...

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Sheila Kline

6 Years Ago

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

6 Years Ago

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

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Sheila Kline

6 Years Ago

Thank you Ted! This started out as an antithesis, and that proved to be quite a challenge, so the en.. read more
Very nicely done. Very encouraging and optimistic!

Posted 6 Years Ago


2 of 2 people found this review constructive.

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.






Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Sheila Kline

6 Years Ago

Thank you for your kind words on behalf of myself and Rick! We wanted to take that dying soul into .. read more
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!

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Sheila Kline

6 Years Ago

Thanks my friend! As much as we might not want to accept that death shall come, there is no way we .. read more
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.

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Sheila Kline

6 Years Ago

A quote from one of my favorite poems by Emily Dickinson; have used it as inspiration in at least on.. read more
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

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Sheila Kline

6 Years Ago

Thanks John on behalf of Rick and myself! I too like the work of old poets, and often use their wor.. read more
This comment has been deleted by this poetry author.
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."

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Sheila Kline

6 Years Ago

It's good to have you back again and to have you review this co-write. So many of us fight the idea.. read more
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

Posted 6 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Sheila Kline

6 Years Ago

Your kind words are appreciated!! May we each "Go Now So Gently Into That Good Night" when it is ou.. read more
poetdoug

6 Years Ago

amen to that. thanks.

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835 Views
16 Reviews
Added on March 19, 2017
Last Updated on April 24, 2017
Tags: Solace, Acceptance, Compassion, Death, Faith, Good Works

Author

Sheila Kline
Sheila Kline

WV



About
I am a Poetess of Multiplicity who also enjoys genealogy research, current events, folk ballads and Irish/Celtic music, and I am a grand lover of dogs! I strive to live by the philosophy o.. more..

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