Memento by Mary Baker Eddy (1881)
The work is a poetic reflection on themes of memory, friendship, and the connection between the living and the departed. It opens with an invocation to friends, expressing a deep emotional bond that transcends physical presence. The imagery of the sea and night evokes a sense of tranquility and contemplation, suggesting that the speaker's spirit remains with loved ones despite separation. The poem emphasizes the beauty of nature as a backdrop for remembrance, with the moonlit sea and the sounds of waves serving as symbols of continuity and solace. The speaker invites friends to recall fond memories, urging them to think kindly and smile in remembrance, reinforcing the idea that true connection endures beyond life's challenges and the inevitability of death. The work encapsulates a longing for connection and the comfort found in shared memories, portraying death not as an end but as a transition that allows for ongoing spiritual presence. The tone is reflective and serene, encouraging readers to cherish relationships and the impact of love that persists through time.
By Mary Baker Eddy · First published 1881 · Genre: Poetry, Spiritual, Romanticism · 260 words
First lines
Respectfully inscribed to my friends in Lynn.
/ I come to thee / O'er the moonlit sea, / When the hoarse wave revisits thy shore! / When waters shout, / And the stars peep out, / I am with thee in spirit once more.
/ Then list the moan / Of the billows' foam, / Laving with surges thy silv'ry beach! / Night's dewy eye, / The sea-mew's lone cry, / Witness my presence and utter my speech.
/ Pleasant a grave / By the "Rock" or wave, / And afar from life's turmoil its goal. / No sculptured lie, / Or hypocrite sigh, / E'er to mock the bright truth of the soul.
What this Textopian page supports
Memento is listed on Textopian as a poem by Mary Baker Eddy, dated 1881 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Mary Baker Eddy
- Date: 1881 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Spiritual, Romanticism, Literary, Philosophical
- Length: 260 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Memento by Mary Baker Eddy
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse and employs poetic devices, focusing on themes of memory and nature.
- Spiritual — The text reflects spiritual themes, emphasizing connection and presence beyond physical existence.
- Romanticism — The work embodies Romantic ideals, such as emotion, nature, and individual experience.
- Literary — The writing style is reflective and introspective, characteristic of literary works.
Tags
Philosophical · Psychological · Thriller · Mystery · Drama · Memory · Loss · Identity · Trauma · Revenge · Obsession · Guilt