Going quietly… but never gently…

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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Very recently I was introduced to the music of Charlie Winston.  This haunting song “She went quietly” was used in episode 809 “Dark Was The Night” of Grey’s Anatomy.   The song reminded me of the above Dylan Thomas’ poem.

 In some regards, both song and poem are about the struggle to live… to have one’s life.  Whether to have one’s life for oneself that is not defined by others or routine, or simply not to fall prey to death and to live another day.  Both encourage (in my mind) to fight for the life that is yours and not to make excuses to anyone… not even to yourself.

When I reflect specifically upon the song, I can acknowledge that it is about the loss of someone meaningful from a person’s life.  It is not just about the loss of someone meaningful, however.

The song is about the active decision to leave without explanation… and also that return too does not always provide explanation for departure.

Life is sometimes this way… We must cut immediate ties without explanation with some people whom we love dearly in order to move forward… and hope in the future that we can apologize… and hope that they will understand.

I suggest, remembering that, at one point or another, you will be or have been on either the giving or receiving end of this action… and then move forward yourself, taking confidence in yourself and your goals.

Until next time!

Best,

D.

…But she went quietly

She didn’t make a sound

She went quietly

With the wish not to be found

She went quietly

Without a word of where

Just a note that wrote

“Forgetting is easier”

Out of the blue in the pouring rain

To my doorstep, old and cold, today she came

With her story

I asked her in but she declined

Had just one single thing to get off her mind

And that was sorry.

-Charlie Winston (“She Went Quietly”)