I will not go gentle into the night

I will put up as courageous and valiant a fight

though my battlements are worn

and my armaments, to others, a sorry sight

I will not go gently into the night

Many friends I have lost, many kith and blood tied kin

I grieve over them never losing sight

of their towering value to my life

many days I have struggled, seemingly carried the burden Atlas did

many nights have I lain awake and conversed with Sisyphus

Easy to give up and say good night?

Yet my hand flies out and catches the ashes as they flutter to the floor

as of its own free will, no gentle Ophelia it is not yet time

the river you must swim in is one of life

You cannot go gently into the night