Original Poem
When I am dead, my dearest By Christina Rossetti When I am dead, my dearest, Sing no sad songs for me; Plant thou no roses at my head, Nor shady cypress tree: Be the green grass above me With showers and dewdrops wet; And if thou wilt, remember, And if thou wilt, forget. I shall not see the shadows, I shall not feel the rain; I shall not hear the nightingale Sing on, as if in pain: And dreaming through the twilight That doth not rise nor set, Haply I may remember, And haply may forget.
Translation (English)
When I am dead, my dear,
Don't sing any sad songs for me;
Don't plant roses at my grave,
Or a shady cypress tree:
Let the green grass grow over me,
Wet with rain and dew;
And if you want, remember me,
And if you want, forget.
I won't see the shadows,
I won't feel the rain;
I won't hear the nightingale
Sing as if it's in pain:
And dreaming in the twilight
That doesn't change,
Maybe I'll remember,
And maybe I'll forget.
About the Poet
Christina Georgina Rossetti (Victorian)
Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830–1894) was an English poet known for her romantic and devotional poems. She was associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement and wrote famous works like 'Goblin Market'. Her poetry often explored themes of death, memory, and faith.
Read more on Wikipedia →Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Lyric poem
- When Written
- Published in 1862
- Background
- The poem reflects Rossetti's contemplation of death and the transient nature of memory and mourning. It is part of her broader exploration of themes like mortality and the afterlife, influenced by her religious faith and personal experiences with illness and depression.
Sources: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45003/when-i-am-dead-my-dearest, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christina_Rossetti
Detailed Explanation
Christina Rossetti's poem 'When I am dead, my dearest' is a meditation on death and remembrance. The speaker addresses a loved one, expressing a desire for a simple, natural burial without the traditional symbols of mourning like sad songs or flowers. The speaker's acceptance of death is conveyed through the imagery of green grass and dewdrops, suggesting a return to nature. In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the sensory experiences they will miss in death, such as shadows, rain, and the song of the nightingale. The poem concludes with an acceptance of the uncertainty of memory, acknowledging that the speaker may or may not be remembered. This acceptance of oblivion and the transient nature of memory reflects Rossetti's exploration of mortality, influenced by her religious beliefs and personal experiences with illness.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| dearest | most beloved | most loved or cherished person | dee-uh-rist |
| thou | you | old-fashioned form of 'you' | thou |
| wilt | will | old-fashioned form of 'will' | wilt |
| cypress | a type of tree | a tree often associated with mourning | sai-pres |
| haply | perhaps | by chance or perhaps | hap-lee |
| doth | does | old-fashioned form of 'does' | doth |
| twilight | dusk | the time of day just after sunset | twai-lait |
| nightingale | a type of bird | a bird known for its beautiful song | nai-ting-gail |
| dew | morning moisture | tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces at night | doo |
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