The poem is a lamentation of a bereaved spouse who has lost their partner. The speaker describes the process of preparing the deceased body for burial, emphasizing the finality of death and the pain of separation. They express gratitude that they are the one left to mourn, rather than their partner having to endure the loss. The poem conveys a sense of anguish, grief, and resignation, as the speaker comes to terms with their new reality without their loved one.
By Edith Nesbit · First published 1910 · Genre: Fantasy, Supernatural, Horror