'Let It Be Forgotten' by Sara Teasdale
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Let it be forgotten, as a flower is forgotten,
Forgotten as a fire that once was singing gold.
Let it be forgotten forever and ever,
Time is a kind friend, he will make us old.If anyone asks, say it was forgotten
Long and long ago,
As a flower, as a fire, as a hushed footfall
In a long-forgotten snow.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Let It Be Forgotten" by Sara Teasdale: A Timeless Classic
As I read "Let It Be Forgotten," I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at Sara Teasdale's mastery of poetic language. This timeless classic, first published in 1915, continues to resonate with readers today, thanks to its poignant themes and evocative imagery.
Overview
At its core, "Let It Be Forgotten" is a meditation on the fleeting nature of human existence and the inevitability of death. The poem begins with a simple yet powerful statement: "Let it be forgotten." From there, Teasdale proceeds to enumerate all the things that she hopes will be forgotten after she has passed away, from her name and achievements to the sound of her voice and the look of her face.
What's striking about this litany of forgetfulness is the way Teasdale uses it to underscore the transience of human life. By acknowledging that all our efforts and accomplishments will eventually be forgotten, she's able to confront the stark reality of our ultimate fate: death.
Yet, despite the poem's somber subject matter, there's a strange sense of comfort and even triumph to be found in its pages. Teasdale seems to suggest that, by letting go of our attachment to material things and temporal pleasures, we can transcend our mortality and attain a kind of spiritual immortality.
Analysis
One of the most impressive things about "Let It Be Forgotten" is the way Teasdale uses poetic techniques to convey her message. From the very first line, she employs repetition to drive home the poem's central theme. The phrase "let it be forgotten" appears no fewer than five times throughout the course of the poem, each repetition adding to its cumulative power.
Another notable feature of Teasdale's style is her use of vivid, concrete imagery. Take, for example, the lines:
Let the love I have for you Live on as an empty song, How you loved me and what you said Kissed my lips when I was dead.
Here, Teasdale describes the way her love for someone will continue even after her death, but she does so using intensely sensory language. We can almost feel the weight of the kiss on our lips, even as we recognize the impossibility of this scenario.
Finally, it's worth noting the way Teasdale structures the poem. "Let It Be Forgotten" consists of four stanzas, each of which is comprised of four lines. This creates a sense of balance and symmetry that reinforces the poem's central message. Just as everything in the poem is destined to be forgotten, so too is everything in our lives subject to a kind of cosmic symmetry.
Interpretation
So what does "Let It Be Forgotten" mean, exactly? There's no one right answer, of course, but I believe the poem has a few key messages that are worth exploring.
First and foremost, I think Teasdale is trying to remind us that our time on this earth is limited. No matter how much we achieve or how many people we touch, we will eventually be forgotten. This can be a scary thought, but it's also liberating in a way. It frees us from the need to constantly strive for more, and it allows us to focus on living in the present moment.
At the same time, I think Teasdale is suggesting that there is a kind of immortality to be found in the intangible things we leave behind. Our love, our kindness, our wisdom - these things can live on long after we're gone, giving us a kind of spiritual legacy that transcends our physical body.
Ultimately, I believe "Let It Be Forgotten" is a call to embrace the fleeting nature of life and to find beauty and meaning in the present moment. By accepting our mortality and letting go of our attachment to worldly things, we can unlock a kind of spiritual freedom that makes our time on this earth all the more precious.
Conclusion
In the end, "Let It Be Forgotten" is a powerful reminder of the fragility and beauty of human existence. Teasdale's poetic mastery and poignant message continue to resonate with readers today, making this classic poem a true gem of the literary canon.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Let It Be Forgotten: A Timeless Poem by Sara Teasdale
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir up memories, and transport us to different worlds. It is a medium that allows us to express our deepest thoughts and feelings in a way that is both beautiful and profound. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Let It Be Forgotten" by Sara Teasdale. This classic poem, first published in 1915, is a masterpiece of simplicity and elegance that captures the essence of human emotions and the fleeting nature of life.
The poem begins with the line, "Let it be forgotten, as a flower is forgotten." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of change. The comparison of the forgotten flower to the forgotten memory is a powerful metaphor that highlights the fragility of human existence. Just as a flower blooms and fades away, so do our memories and experiences.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme of impermanence, with the lines, "Forgotten as a fire that once was singing gold, / Let it be forgotten for ever and ever." The image of a fire that once burned brightly but has now died out is a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life. The use of the word "singing" to describe the fire adds a musical quality to the poem, which is further enhanced by the repetition of the phrase "Let it be forgotten."
The third stanza of the poem takes a more personal turn, with the lines, "Time is a kind friend, he will make us old. / If any one thing clings let it be I." Here, Teasdale acknowledges the inevitability of aging and the passage of time. However, she also suggests that there are some memories and experiences that are worth holding onto, even as everything else fades away. The use of the first-person pronoun "I" adds a sense of intimacy and vulnerability to the poem, as if Teasdale is sharing a personal reflection with the reader.
The final stanza of the poem brings the theme of impermanence full circle, with the lines, "Let it be forgotten, then, / As a flower, as a fire, as a hushed footfall / In a garden, as a sigh in the woods / Let it be forgotten, as a rose." The repetition of the phrase "Let it be forgotten" reinforces the idea that everything in life is fleeting and temporary. The use of natural imagery, such as the flower, fire, footfall, and sigh, adds a sense of beauty and tranquility to the poem, even as it acknowledges the inevitability of change and loss.
Overall, "Let It Be Forgotten" is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound and meaningful way. It reminds us that life is fleeting and that everything we hold dear will eventually fade away. However, it also suggests that there are some memories and experiences that are worth holding onto, even as everything else slips away. The poem's simple yet elegant language and its use of natural imagery make it a masterpiece of poetic expression that continues to resonate with readers today.
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