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Comment 9 of 9, added on April 1st, 2007 at 1:44 AM.
I would recommend anyone who is doing some kind of poem analysis or assignment to do it on "When I am dead, my dearest". My literature teacher has given us and oral presentation to do on a famous poet and recite to the class one of their poems. He gave me Christina Rossetti. I didn't know what to expect but i was estatic when i read some of her poems. They were so descriptive and meaningful, anyone could relate to them. "When I am dead, my dearest" automatically clicked with me and i have decided to recite this poem.
With myself only in year 10, I feel so connected to her poems that were written hundreds of year ago.
Shiralee from Australia
Comment 8 of 9, added on December 21st, 2005 at 9:43 PM.
This poem means alot to me, i think it's the way Christina words things, i even used it in an english assignment for grade 9. To me personally the poem was beautifully captivating! "I shall not hear the nightengale sing on as if in pain" that part means alot to me as well, as if to leave the pain that you posses and just be able to let go and forget..."Hapily may remember, and haply may forget" again, being able to forget pain, but also saying this to her "dearest" is a display of love, in my humble opinion, as if she doesn't want this person to suffer for her death, but remember her the way she was, and in a sense forget that there was ever any pain there at all...well those are my feelings towards this poem! i love it! hope more people do too!
Samantha from Canada
Comment 7 of 9, added on September 30th, 2005 at 10:15 PM.
I think the poem is about a woman who is sick and is going to die. She is thinking to herself about her lover and what it will be like when she dies. She wants to be remembered but by the line where she says, "Yet if you should forget me for a while", she realises that she would rather have the person she loves forget her and be happy than grieve over her memory. I hope this helps.
Christina from Australia
Comment 6 of 9, added on September 11th, 2005 at 7:40 AM.
this poem is very memorable. i was a literature teacher years back, and we discussed this in class. it is actually classified as a song, and i took the liberty of putting some melody into it, and after we discussed it in class, i enjoined everyone to sing it. it was beautiful! until now, this poem occasionally creeps into my mind and when it does, i sing it to myself... as i still know every word by heart. when i die, i would like this poem to be sung (not recited) in my necro service. and like christina, i want no roses or trees on my grave... for what use..? i can't smell the fragrance of the flowers anyway, nor will i have need for a shade... all the love and affection, and joys i want and need - i try to get from this life... for when i shut my eyes forever - my world is ended.
rhodora from Philippines
Comment 5 of 9, added on August 23rd, 2005 at 3:52 AM.
A book on poetry says that Christina was 18 when she wrote the poem. And that she had always been sick (although she became 64).
For me the poem says that the one that is going to die wants us to go on living and to enjoy our lives. That we do not have to cling to the dead, although for me remembering is very important and I would also like to plant a beautiful flower on my mothers grave when she will be dead. Sometimes I have such a hard time to remember what people look like when they are not with me right now and I am so scared that I will forget her. It is a relief that christina in the place of my mother says I do not have to remeber her. If it is possible I will.
The second stanza I would have liked a lot some time ago, when I saw death like peaceful slep. Nowadays I hope that my mother will be with me in some way. As I will miss her so much and I dearly love her. She has become the best and most peacful and accepting mother you can imagine in the last years. I am so glad that unlike the boy in artificial intelligence I have more than a day to enjoy her loving me.
Christina from Austria
Comment 4 of 9, added on July 19th, 2005 at 6:05 PM.
I first heard this poem spoken by Johnathan Frid on an album, and fell in love with it! It seems to me as though the person in the poem has gone "home" where there is no pain, or sorrow, and wishes only peace for the one left behind. I recited this poem at the funeral of my brother-in-law, and have requested that it be spoken at my funeral. I don't know how old Christina was when she wrote this particular poem, but it seems to me as though it shows a greath depth of feeling, compassion, and understanding.
Susan from United States
Comment 3 of 9, added on July 19th, 2005 at 5:10 PM.
According to me the poem is about how one does not care how things turn out after life is over. Whats important is that we live our lives so we can be remembered. When the poet says-" If thy wilt remember , if thy wilt forget" she is refering to the choice people have when they are alive to do something to be rememberd for or be someone who people would rather forget. Its a comforting thought to be one with nature after death. How does it matter if you put flowers on the grave or grow a tree? After life there is nothing but peace. Thats how i interpret this poem .
marisha from India
Comment 2 of 9, added on July 4th, 2005 at 1:00 AM.
That poem was said by a teenage girl right before she went missing, I saw it on unsolved mysteries. And as an answer to Sana's question: I think the poen is saying that when she dies don't be sad but remember her and never forget. I hope that helps you understand it some.
Chris from United Kingdom
Comment 1 of 9, added on May 17th, 2005 at 2:35 PM.
This is such a sad poem. I am having trouble understanding the theme. Anyone know?
Sana from Canada
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I would recommend anyone who is doing some kind of poem analysis or assignment to do it on "When I am dead, my dearest". My literature teacher has given us and oral presentation to do on a famous poet and recite to the class one of their poems. He gave me Christina Rossetti. I didn't know what to expect but i was estatic when i read some of her poems. They were so descriptive and meaningful, anyone could relate to them. "When I am dead, my dearest" automatically clicked with me and i have decided to recite this poem.
With myself only in year 10, I feel so connected to her poems that were written hundreds of year ago.
Shiralee from Australia