When Light Dies
Rage, Rage Against the Dying of the Light — Dylan Thomas
When light dies seeing men go blind
They choose convenience, temporary gain
The Darkness overtakes the mind
They choose their ignorance, become unkind
They forget that long term struggles still remain
When light dies seeing men go blind
They let the lies and fear push them aside
See not the child’s sickness nor their pain
The Darkness overtakes their minds
Exalted men leave decency behind
Like sheep, they follow ignorant of pain
When light dies seeing men go blind
Soldiers men and women fight combined
To show that evil men should be disdained
Yet Darkness overtakes the mind
Can you, my countrymen still find your brain
To exercise what Liberty remains?
When light dies seeing men go blind
The Darkness overtakes the mind
This poem is a Villanelle, inspired by Dylan Thomas’s “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” — perhaps the best Villanelle ever. Although Thomas’ poem was about his own father, watching the decline in your own country brings on a similar feeling.
