My previous blog was an ambitious attempt to define poetry. I have added 11 years of my poem writing and used other noble definitions, distilled them to define poetry.

If you are unwilling to invest your valuable time, here is what my definition of poetry is

Poetry is the rhythmic and thoughtful arrangement of words to evoke intense universal emotions. With

1. EbMS (Emotion by metaphor and symbol),
2. RbOL (Rhythm by order and length),
3. UbBA (Universality by Brevity and Abstractness).

Unlike other forms of literature, poetry presents unique challenges for its readers. Here are some limitations that come to mind:

1. Heightened Intellectual Engagement(I): Poetry often requires readers to possess a heightened intellectual state. Poems can be abstract and elusive, and many metric works may initially come across as mere wordplay without clear meaning. We’ve all encountered pieces that leave us puzzled, questioning why some poems are celebrated as masterpieces. However, once we delve deeper into a poem, we begin to uncover the intricate interplay of metaphors, symbols, and carefully chosen words. This exploration reveals layers of emotion that the poet intended to convey, inviting us to engage in deep introspection, reflection, and imagination. The poet’s elusive thoughts become a guiding light, helping us appreciate the poem’s beauty while ensuring we remain focused on the path of understanding. This intellectual rigor can deter some readers, yet it is not unlike the complexity found in mathematical proofs, where the beauty lies in the intricate reasoning and the connections made.
2. Sound Pattern Recognition Skills(P): Poetry often relies on rhythm, meter, and sound patterns that require readers to recognize and appreciate the musicality of the language. This demand can be daunting for those unfamiliar with poetic structures, making it difficult for them to connect with the work.
3. Non-Distractive Creative Imagination(C): Engaging with poetry necessitates a form of imaginative thinking that is free from distractions. Readers must be able to envision the imagery and emotions that the poet evokes, requiring a focused and open mindset.
4. Empathy and Connection with the Poet (E): Finally, poetry expects its readers to establish a sense of empathy and connection with the poet. Understanding the emotions and experiences conveyed in the poem often requires readers to resonate with the poet’s perspective, which can be challenging if they do not share a similar background or emotional experience.

Let us take an example of Dylan Thomas’s Do not go gentle into that good night.

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.

For any poems, lets go through it in to see if we see any specific metrics or forms. It has villanelle form.
A villanelle is a structured poetic form that consists of 19 lines, characterized by a specific rhyme scheme and repeating refrains. Here’s a breakdown of its key features:

Structure:
Five tercets: (three-line stanzas) followed by a quatrain (four-line stanza). The total number of lines is 19.

Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is ABA for the tercets and ABAA for the quatrain. This means that the first and third lines of the first tercet will be repeated alternately as the last lines of the subsequent tercets and will appear as the last two lines of the quatrain.

Refrains are the repeating line.

• The first line of the poem is repeated as the last line of the second and fourth tercets.
• The third line of the poem is repeated as the last line of the first and third tercets.

A light skim reading suggests that it has some elements of masculinity, morality, and death. I will deduce how I came into the conclusion. The structure of the poem itself supports this interpretation: out of its six stanzas, four specifically address different types of men—the wise men, good men, wild men, and grave men. The refrains convey a sense of urgency and finality, with phrases like “rage against the dying light,” suggesting a desperate struggle against impending death.

Refrain Analysis:

Refrain 1: “Do not go gentle into that good night.”
This line conveys a call to resist passivity in the face of death. Here, “goodnight” symbolizes the end, while “gentle” implies a caution against accepting death quietly. Instead, it encourages an active defiance.

Refrain 2: “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.”
This refrain emphasizes action and resistance, portraying death as something to be fought against rather than passively accepted. The “dying light” symbolizes the end of life, reinforcing the urgency of the struggle.

Now let us read the poem line by line and try to feel it. And I will add I,P,CE i.e Heightened Intellectual Engagement(I), Sound Pattern Recognition Skills(P), Empathy with poet(E), and Creativity/Imagination(C) in my analysis to denote what was used.

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.

First stanza is enough to give us the idea of the poem, it’s about death (Old age should burn)[C,I], and last moments of death(Dying of the light/ Close of day/ That good night)[C,I].

Now, 2^nd stanza begins with the line of Wise Men. It is one of the four men mentioned[P] in the poem. One thing to keep in mind is, Dylan is a romantic poet[E], keep your mind open and let your creativity free.

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.

Now, the poet says that wise men know that the end (death)[C] is inevitable (dark is right = it’s the truth)[C]. But the ambiguity in the text is still here. We know that wise men don’t go gentle into that good night, but what is second line trying to convey? Their words had forked no lightning.
Let’s get into the beauty of poetry. Remember the symbolism part I mentioned? Yes, its here. Our words are none less than lighting, are they? Words have the same potential if not more, how a loud lightning can make everything still, like powerful orators capable of keeping everyone focused on one thing. This is what it means to fork no lightning. They had no impact. They were too diplomatic with their words. This is why these wise men finally want to do something in life. They don’t 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.

Another type of men are the good men[P,C]. They lived honest, decent lives, content within the boundaries of mediocrity. ->Crying how bright meaning: They could have done more, lived more boldly, and made a greater impact. As their final moments approach, they feel the need to show their rage, to break free and make a meaningful impact before it’s too late.

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.

Now, this stanza deals with wild men, they were a bit better one. They danced, sang, and lived in the moment. They did well for themselves but, they too, now grieve that no more time is left, and they do as much as possible to live a life they can as the death approaches them.

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.

Grave men, i.e. the ones who are about to die, release that no matter is state, situation everyone can do their individual best, (blind eyes could blaze like meteors)[C,P], even the dying ones have the strength to do everything when they realize that they have no time left. Now, they rage against the dying life. Note that be gay here mean to be carefree. It’s a dated definition. [I]

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.

In the last stanza, we come to understand that this poem is profoundly personal, written for Thomas’s father, who is on his deathbed. This revelation deepens the poem’s universality, as it speaks to the universal struggle against mortality and the longing for connection in our final moments. The last man referenced is his father, and in this moment, Thomas expresses his openness to receive any words his father wishes to share.

He desires an emotional exchange, urging his father to let out whatever he has left to say—whether it be a curse or a blessing. This plea highlights the complexity of their relationship and the difficulty many men face in expressing their innermost emotions. Society often imposes barriers on men, making it challenging to articulate feelings of vulnerability and grief. Thomas’s words suggest that, despite these challenges, it is essential to confront and express deep emotions, especially when faced with death.

Thomas implores his father not to “go gentle” into that good night, encouraging him to resist dying submissively. Instead, he calls for his father to command over his death, to rage against it, and to embrace the fight for life until the very end. This powerful message resonates with anyone who has grappled with loss, fear, and the desire for meaningful connection, reminding us of the importance of fighting against the inevitable and finding strength in our emotions.