When I am dead, my dearest,_x000D_ _x000D_ Sing no sad songs for me
Interpretation
The quote suggests that after death, one should not mourn, but rather celebrate life.
Christina Rossetti's quote reflects a desire for a joyful remembrance rather than a sorrowful lamentation after one's passing. It highlights the importance of cherishing memories and celebrating life instead of dwelling on loss, encouraging a perspective that embraces positivity even in the face of mortality.
In practice
This quote could be used in a eulogy to emphasize a celebratory rather than mournful approach to remembering someone.
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 I may forget.
We must not look at goblin men, We must not buy their fruits: Who knows upon what soil they fed Their hungry thirsty roots?
To her whose heart is my heart's quiet home,_x000D_ _x000D_ To my first Love, my Mother, on whose knee_x000D_ _x000D_ I learnt love-lore that is not troublesome.
Yet come to me in dreams, that I may live My very life again though cold in death; Come back to me in dreams, that I may give Pulse for pulse, breath for breath: Speak low, lean low, As long ago, my love, how long ago
Lie still, lie still, my breaking heart; My silent heart, lie still and break: Life, and the world, and mine own self, are changed For a dream's sake.
I lock my door upon myself, And bar them out; but who shall wall Self from myself, most loathed of all?
No memory of having starred atones for later disregard, or keeps the end from being hard.
I held a jewel in my fingers And went to sleep. The day was warm, and winds were prosy; I said: "'T will keep." I woke and chid my honest fingers,β The gem was gone; And now an amethyst remembrance Is all I own.
Alone, all alone Nobody, but nobody Can make it out here alone.
The only certain things in life are death and taxes!
Man must live, not only exist; he must do, not merely be; he must grow, not just vegetate.
As of today, I have absolutely no regrets. I think I am a mature person who can take things in stride. I'm grateful for people in my past. They helped me get to where I am, wherever that is. But now, I am thinking for myself and sitting in on all the business transactions.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.