A Song by Christina Rossetti

The speaker urges her loved one not to grieve for her once she's gone, yet in the closing lines, she reveals that she may or may not remember him after death. This poem explores the idea of letting go of someone you cherish, while subtly recognizing that love doesn't just disappear — even when facing death.

'Haply' is an old word that means 'perhaps' or 'by chance.' The speaker is expressing that when she faces death, she may remember her beloved or she may not — she's honestly unsure. This reflects her earlier words to him ('if thou wilt, remember / if thou wilt, forget'), as she turns that uncertainty back on herself, creating an honest rather than distant sentiment.

Both plants were common symbols of mourning during the Victorian era. By rejecting them, the speaker is resisting the intricate grief rituals of her time. She prefers a straightforward, natural resting place — green grass and dew — over a monument to sorrow.

It's more melancholic than devastated. The speaker remains calm and even generous — she's allowing her beloved to move on. However, the ending, where she acknowledges that she might forget him as well, holds a subtle pain that lingers after the poem concludes.

The poem consists of two stanzas, each with eight lines, following an ABCBDEFE rhyme scheme. It alternates between iambic tetrameter and trimeter, creating a ballad-like structure. This sing-song rhythm lends it a lullaby quality, which aligns perfectly with the poem's theme of a peaceful, sleepy death.

Rossetti was a devoted Anglican, yet 'A Song' approaches the topic of the Christian afterlife with remarkable restraint. She doesn't guarantee heaven or reunion. Instead, she portrays death as a serene twilight—ambiguous and tranquil. Her faith provides her with the composure to confront death without fear, but she refrains from using the poem as a platform for preaching.

The speaker refers to 'my dearest' — someone cherished, likely a romantic partner. While we can't say for sure if this is autobiographical, Rossetti's life was marked by complex love relationships, and the closeness of the address comes across as personal rather than abstract.

'Remember' explores a similar theme — a dying speaker requesting a loved one to both remember and forget her. In contrast, 'A Song' conveys a more resigned tone, lacking the emotional urgency found in 'Remember,' which culminates in a more direct emotional release. Together, these poems illustrate Rossetti's ongoing struggle with the unresolved tension of love versus letting go.