Poetry Corner with Lawrence Spiro

Here are two poems both villanelles. The Dylan Thomas poem is one of my favorites.

Lawrence Spiro

Heaven’s eye clearly shine,
will and time a summer breeze
promised peace precious to find.

Renew your life, heart and mind
now, in this place we lease
Heaven’s eye clearly shine.

Head forward, straight line
through loving lights surcease
promised peace precious to find.

Will that is yours and mine
is neither poor nor rich
Heaven’s eye clearly shine.

Not to do is to resign
to dust and wilted chance
promised peace precious to find.

Think, speak, act your mind
Choose life to enhance
Heaven’s eye clearly shine
promised peace precious to find.

 

Dylan Thomas

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night. Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.