RAGE, RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT

I have just finished reading Elisabeth Kubler Ross' "On death & dying" - it's a great read & has taught me a lot. I often think that we the 'living" are the one's keeping the "dying" here, for our own selfish purposes. Is it the fear that maybe we will never see them again?A fear of our own mortality? or perhaps it's out of guilt. As a nurse I often get asked "why did this happen to my mum?, to my son? etc" & I feel like replying - "well why not!", cause it has to happen to somebody...that's life. Sounds harsh but it's true. Makes me think of the great Dylan Thomas poem "Do not go gentle into that good night" which he wrote about his own fathers death.

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.

-DYLAN THOMAS-