soon blown out with nothing more then a sigh. It focuses on the sadness as those we care

for go far too gently into that good night. Of those who left before their time. As this

poem was written specifically for Thomas's dying father it is even more poignant in the

This poem radiates with intensity, in particular, the verse beginning: "wild men

who caught and sang the sun in flight" is simply beautiful poetry. Addressed to the poet's

father as he approaches blindness and death. The relevant aspect of the relationship was

Thomas's profound respect for his father, tall and strong in Thomas's passionate mind but

now tamed by illness and the passing of time. The acceptance of death and a peaceful rest

afterwards are pushed aside in favor of an ungentle rage so blind it almost mirrors the

vigor of childhood frustration at the nature of things we are powerless to change.

Further more, the poem speaks as much of the loss of love and the feelings of one

left behind as of death itself. The meaning of the poem stays shrouded in metaphors like

not go gentle" because their words "had forked no lightning." This phrase has the force of

therefore seems to be saying that the wise men were not wise enough, that their words

line of the stanza repeated alternately as the last line of the subsequent stanzas and

touching. Perhaps the feelings of his fading father should have been more important than

Thomas's grief was perhaps all the greater. His statement of this love and grief remain

Some common words found in the essay are:
, Italy Italian, stanza repeated, poem speaks, frail deeds,
Approximate Word count = 801
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)