Christina Rossetti

I wondered whether I was falling in to the trap of allowing my collection to become dominated by male poets.  But, in fact, I have a number of favourite female poets as well.  One of them is Christina Rossetti whose poem, 'When I Am Dead, My Dearest', is particularly impressive.

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 may forget. 

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