When a Nightingale Sings

Oh cruel condition that played the fool
with my fathers mind,  
Did twist and bend, pure memories sweet
and strangers make of those so loved,
And at the dying of the light, and into that good night softy crept

Old age should burn and cry at end, 
But you, my father, 
You did not Curse or bless, I prayed you would.
You did not rage against the dying of the light.

And tho sweet passing to you peace did being
You did not hear a Nightingale Sing…..

Dear Mother, trice gorgeous mother
‘twice broken hearted,
Your son Tom, taken by the slip of a surgeons knife,
Who never did life old age did bring
Tom never did hear the Nightingale sing…..

And we, dear mother we hear them say
“Life is short, live for today
So we shall and no consequence take,
Not guilt or grief shall enjoyment take
Memories of those so loved will be a cherished thing”
Promise you’ll hear The Nightingale Sing…..

And “if I must die,
I will encounter darkness as a bride,
And hug it in mine arms.
And Marry death an all it brings.”

But first I’ll curse and swear, and kick and scream
And at the dying of the light, won’t go gentle into that good night
Until I hear The Nightingale Sing.       

Acknowledgements: Dylan Thomas, Shakespeare (Measure for Measure, 3.1.91-93), 

[Word Count 202]