I remember seeing the CBS Playhouse drama, “Do Not Go Gentle into That Goodnight,” starring Melvin Douglas. It is the story of a carpenter who built his own house and wants to stay there, although his family is insistent that he move into old age home.

The script referenced Dylan Thomas’ poem, “Do Not Go Gentle into that Goodnight.” As I remember the story, the carpenter was not only getting physically frail, but was developing dementia. And of course, the drama depicts his fight to maintain his independence as heroic though futile. Having seen it more than fifty years ago, I can’t recall the details too clearly. Obviously, the story resonated with me or I wouldn’t have remembered it at all. At the time, I was probably thinking that life is so precious that we should do all in our power to sustain it.

As I reflect on both the drama, and on Thomas’ poem, I have to question the premise. Thomas was a young man when he wrote the words ” rage, rage against the dying light.” And he was dead at 39. It’s one thing for him to fight death and affirm life with all his might, though his reckless lifestyle didn’t see very life-affirming.

It is entirely different for an 87-year-old. Death should have its own dignity. Sometimes it is better to go gentle.