I Will Not Go Gently
A Villanelle Inspired by Dylan Thomas
I will not go gently into the night,
But rather walk along the path of day,
So gladly step through sun's increasing light.
If others profit from deeds done in right,
Known debtors or unknown ungrateful they,
I will not go gently into the night.
Whether by moon reflected rays so bright,
Or glancing from the water in the bay,
So gladly step through sun's increasing light.
Following the swift wing of truth in flight,
Or mental signpost guiding on the way,
I will not go gently into the night.
Developing the gift of further sight,
And plucking wisdom for a bright nosegay,
So gladly step through sun's increasing light.
At the end I will from great mountain height,
Behold the sunlit realm in which to pray,
I will not go gently into the night,
So gladly step through sun's increasing light.
About the Creator
Natalie Wilkinson
Writing. Woven and Printed Textile Design. Architectural Drafting. Learning Japanese. Gardening. Not necessarily in that order.
IG: @maisonette _textiles
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Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Compelling and original writing
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Easy to read and follow
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The story invoked strong personal emotions
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More stories from Natalie Wilkinson and writers in Poets and other communities.
Spectating
I can't imagine dying like this, in a place like this; on a cold, dirty pavement with rush hour traffic screaming by and a crowd looking on while paramedics struggle to find space to move. Who could? Deep down we all think there should be a reason, a moment of clarity... or a family presence, at least. For this man, this boy, the rail thin woman lighting a cigarette in a faux fur jacket will have to do - she's been here since the start, her eyes tracking the movement of my shoulders as we fight to keep him on the right side of the line.
By S. A. Crawford4 days ago in Fiction
Comments (13)
Beautifully expressed and a powerful one. You deserved runner-up. Congrats.
"I will not go gently into the night, So gladly step through sun's increasing light." Love this ending! Strong and inspiring!
You did not go gently at all with this powerful poem.
Congratulations, Natalie! Not surprised to see this listed!
Congratulations, Natalie! This is so inspiring and so well done! 🥹❤️
Back to say congratulations on placing!
Very nicely done. Congrats
Congrats! Excellent work!
Oh, Natalie, this is whimsical yet utterly grounded; a strange description, perhaps, but it works so well! This stanza is my favorite. It captures the heart of your piece, imo: "If others profit from deeds done in right, Known debtors or unknown ungrateful they, I will not go gently into the night." Great entry, to write a response to Thomas! This is how it's done!!!
Beautifully done!
Rage, rage against it all. Never surrendering. I feel your power.
Had to read this when I saw the title. Nice work!
Love Thomas' poem, and this is a stunning entry to the challenge inspired by it! Well done, Natalie!