"Don't Mourn, Just Remember" Published Writing Response #5

All forms of literature have the ability to impact and move a person in a way that nothing else can. Whether it be through the adventures of fictitious pieces or the relatable facts of non-fictitious pieces, a reader is able to constantly learn and evolve as a person. Poetry in particular, is a form of literature that is like no other. It is able to tell a whole story or perspective through the use of theme, tone, and several sound devices sometimes only within five lines. Similarly, songs are just as moving as poetry is and can be interpreted simply as poetry with music in the background. A result of this similarity is that many poems and songs are very relatable to each other. For example, the poems, “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke and “Song” by Christina Rossetti are very similar to each other as well as very similar to the song, “If You’re Reading This” by Tim McGraw. In terms of Theme and tone, these three pieces of literature very gracefully connect to one another.

Tim McGraw’s song, “If You’re Reading This” is a very sad yet prideful piece which resembles the words of a soldier anticipating his death as a result of war. The lines of this song explain to the listener that this soldier does not want any recognition or pity. Instead, he wants his loved one’s to keep moving on, stay hopeful, and remember him instead of mourn him. For example, McGraw sings, “If you’re reading this, there’s going to come a day when you’ll move on and find someone else and that’s OK. Just remember this, I’m in a better place, where soldiers live in peace and angels sing amazing grace” (Mcgraw). This stanza of the song very beautifully represents the selfless nature of this soldier in that he accepts his own unfortunate fate and only hopes for the best in everyone else’s. This line as well as several other lines in this song all contribute to the theme of remembrance and acceptance as well as to the tone of sadness as well as pride fullness.

 This song directly relates to the poem, “The Soldier” by Rupert Brooke because both pieces are specifically based off the words and mindset of a soldier. Similarly, the speaker of this poem expresses his lack of desire for anyone’s tears and sadness. He wants to be remembered as a peaceful person who brought serenity and happiness to his homeland. Brooke writes, “And think, this heart, all evil shed away, a pulse in the eternal mind, no less” (Brooke). In other words, he wants to be remembered but only in a positive way and enough to never be forgotten but not so much as to be the first thought on everyone’s mind. The theme and tone of this poem is identical to that of McGraw’s song, “If You’re Reading This”. Both pieces depict a soldier who is speaking of unfortunate and tragic circumstances in a very prideful and composed way, as if dying for their countries was the only way they were going to accept death.

 Although the poem, “Song” by Christina Rossetti isn’t specifically about a soldier, it is still very relevant to the song, “If You’re Reading This” and the poem, “The Soldier” in that it once again explains the thoughts of someone who does not want sadness and mourning to exist as a result of her death. The speaker wants to assure her loved ones that she will be ok and is in no need for any attention. The theme and tone is also very similar to McGraw’s song and Brooke’s poem however, can also have an added theme of remember and forget. Rossetti states, “If thou wilt, remember, and if thou wilt, forget” (Rossetti). She also states at the end of the poem, “Haply I may remember, and haply may forget” (Rossetti). This constant repetition of remembering and forgetting emphasizes that the speaker wants her loved ones to remember her but to also forget her to the extent that they can continue to live their lives without constant grief and continued longing for her.

Overall, the poems, “The Soldier” and “Song” and the song, “If You’re Reading This” were all written by completely different people, at different times, and inspired by different situations. However, through tone and theme these three pieces all beautifully connect in a way that only poetry can. In addition, these pieces allow the reader to truly understand the feelings of someone like a soldier who is faced with death everyday to the point that he or she must prepare themselves and their families for it before it even happens. This kind of topic is something that cannot just be stated but instead must be felt and heard in a lyrical way. Otherwise, the reader is unable to experience the emotion that the speaker feels and is trying to explain.