Song (When I Am Dead, My Dearest)

by Christina Rossetti (1862) — a poem card from Justes Mots

A gentle permission to grieve lightly — sing if you remember, and forget if you must.

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.…

Themes: grief · sympathy