When Life Turns the Page

I will go gentle
I will not rage
when life decides 
to turn the page

a candle burns
until it’s spent,
then puddles away
without dissent

When my last act 
is that final breath 
that from these lips
has gone and left 
this body, worn 
by time and age,
will go gentle
and will not rage
when life decides
to turn the page

I leave behind
such wisdom and truth
as carried me here
from first my youth
I’m done
with such notions
that cannot be
of any use in eternity

As darkness 
follows light,
as night 
follows day,
I will go gentle
I will not rage
when life decides
to turn the page

Old men and wise,
good men and wild,
each may face the grave 
like a frightened child,
but I will go gentle
I will not rage
when life decides 
to turn the page

I hereby acknowledge my debt to Dylan Thomas, whose ‘Do not go gentle into that good night,’ inspired this poem.