Greetings, dear reader…today I thought we’d briefly delve into the life and untimely departure of one of poetry’s most electric figures: Dylan Thomas.  For those non-English majors  who haven’t heard of him, it is my pleasure to introduce you to a master of language who could turn everyday phrases into pure poetry.  To quote James Devlin, “Thomas was that rare breed of poet whose words didn’t just sit on the page – they leapt off, danced around on your face, and left you pondering the mysteries of life, death, and everything in between.”  Go read “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.”  Right now.  Now drink a bunch of whiskey and read the poem out loud, pounding on the table for appropriate emphasis.  You have now been sufficiently introduced to Dylan Thomas.

Regrettably, on November 9, 1953, the world lost this lyrical genius to a severe illness, complicated by his legendary lifestyle.  Dylan wasn’t just about writing; he lived as hard as he wrote.  My personal poetic role model, this guy could drink like a fish and still pen lines that would make your aorta quiver.  He was very much a rock star poet.

Dylan Thomas’ death was attributed to pneumonia, swelling of the brain, and a fatty liver, which were all exacerbated by heavy drinking.  He fell ill while on a lecture tour in New York City, where he had been staying at the Chelsea Hotel.  He told his companion that “I’ve had 18 straight whiskeys.  I think that’s the record.”  He then fell into a coma.  He was admitted to St. Vincent’s Hospital where he died at age 39.

Why does Dylan Thomas matter?  His work, especially “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,” is the kind of stuff that really sticks with you (as you just experienced).  It’s been whispered in hospital rooms, shouted in classrooms, and even tattooed on forearms.  Thomas had the incredible ability to blend the personal with the universal, making you feel like you were in on some cosmic secret.

His passing was a wake-up call – not just about the fragility of life, but about the power of words to immortalize a spirit.  Even now, decades later, Thomas’ influence can be felt in the rhythm of modern poetry and spoken word.  He was the precursor to the slam poetry scene.

So today we pour some out for Uncle Dylan.  Because of course you’re going to lose the Big Match, but the inevitability of that  loss doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fight like hell anyway.

N.P.: “Soul Kitchen” – The Doors