Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, REMEMBRANCE, by EMILY JANE BRONTE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

REMEMBRANCE, by             Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Cold in the earth, and the deep snow piled above thee!
Last Line: How could I seek the empty world again?
Alternate Author Name(s): Bell, Ellis
Variant Title(s): R. Alcona To J. Brenzaida
Subject(s): Death; Desolation; Grief; Love; Love - Loss Of; Memory; Dead, The; Sorrow; Sadness


Cold in the earth--and the deep snow above thee,
Far, far removed, cold in the dreary grave!
Have I forgot, my only love, to love thee,
Severed at last by Time's all-severing wave?

Now, when alone, do my thoughts no longer hover
Over the mountains, on that northern shore,
Resting their wings where heath and fern-leaves cover
Thy noble heart for ever, ever more?

Cold in the earth--and fifteen wild Decembers,
From these brown hills, have melted into spring,
Faithful, indeed, is the spirit that remembers
After such years of change and suffering!

Sweet Love of youth, forgive, if I forget thee,
While the world's tide is bearing me along;
Other desires and other hopes beset me,
Hopes which obscure, but cannot do thee wrong.

No later light has lighted up my heaven,
No second morn has ever shone for me;
All my life's bliss from thy dear life was given,
All my life's bliss is in the grave with thee.

But, when the days of golden dreams had perished,
And even Despair was powerless to destroy;
Then did I learn how existence could be cherished,
Strengthened and fed without the aid of joy.

Then did I check the tears of useless passion--
Weaned my young soul from yearning after thine;
Sternly denied its burning wish to hasten,
Down to that tomb already more than mine.

And, even yet, I dare not let it languish,
Dare not indulge in memory's rapturous pain;
Once drinking deep of that divinest anguish
How could I seek the empty world again?





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