Unmindful of the roses,
Unmindful of the thorn,
A reaper tired reposes
Among his gathered corn:
So might I, till the morn!
Cold as the cold Decembers,
Past as the days that set,
While only one remembers
And all the rest forget, –
But one remembers yet.
"One Sea-Side Grave" by Christina Georgina Rossetti is a poignant and reflective poem that explores themes of loss, memory, and the transient nature of life. Through its contemplative tone and vivid imagery, the poem conveys a sense of longing and melancholy.
The poem describes a grave by the seaside, suggesting a connection between the natural world and the final resting place of a loved one. The imagery of the sea underscores the idea of change and passage of time, as well as the cyclical nature of life and death.
The poem's opening lines, "Some miles of barren sand, / Between the flowing sea and silent land," set a desolate and introspective tone. The description of the sea as "flowing" and the land as "silent" juxtaposes movement and stillness, highlighting the contrasts between life and death.
Throughout the poem, the speaker contemplates the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. The use of words like "change" and "gone" reinforces the transient nature of human existence. The idea that "Tears nor flowers can quicken" suggests a sense of finality and acceptance.
The poem's mood is melancholic, evoking a sense of yearning and loss. The repetitive refrain of "Amen" in the final lines adds a meditative quality, emphasizing a sense of resignation and reverence in the face of mortality.
"One Sea-Side Grave" encapsulates Rossetti's preoccupation with themes of death, spirituality, and the fragility of life. The poem's contemplative and introspective approach invites readers to reflect on the impermanence of human existence and the ways in which nature mirrors the cycles of life and death. Through its somber imagery and reflective tone, the poem captures the bittersweet emotions associated with remembering and letting go of a loved one.
