Remember me when I am gone away,
This poem by Christina Rossetti is a meditation on memory and the inevitability of death. The speaker asks to be remembered after they have passed away, acknowledging that they will be in a 'silent land' where physical connections are no longer possible. The poem reflects on the plans and dreams shared with a loved one, emphasizing the importance of memory over mourning. The speaker suggests that if forgetting brings happiness, it is preferable to remembering with sadness. The poem's gentle acceptance of mortality and its focus on the emotional well-being of the living highlight Rossetti's contemplative and empathetic style.
| Word | In English | Plain (English) | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| vestige | trace, small amount | a small part that remains | ves-tij |
| corruption | decay, deterioration | the process of becoming bad or rotten | kuh-ruhp-shun |
| grieve | mourn, feel sorrow | to feel deep sadness | greev |
| counsel | advice, guidance | helpful advice | koun-suhl |
| plann'd | planned, arranged | organized or arranged | pland |
| silent land | quiet place, afterlife | a metaphor for death or the afterlife | sai-luhnt land |
| gone away | left, departed | no longer present | gawn uh-way |
Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830–1894) was an English poet known for her romantic and devotional works. She was associated with the Pre-Raphaelite movement and influenced writers like Virginia Woolf and Gerard Manley Hopkins. Despite health issues and depression, she devoted her life to poetry and faith.
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