Robert Louis Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, and travel writer who is best known for his works "Treasure Island" and "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." One of Stevenson's lesser-known works is a poem called "Requiem," which was written in memory of his mother, Margaret Isabella Stevenson, who passed away in 1877.
"Requiem" is a deeply personal and emotional poem that reflects Stevenson's grief and sense of loss at the death of his mother. The poem is structured in three stanzas, each of which begins with the Latin word "Requiem," meaning "rest" or "repose." The first stanza opens with the lines: "Requiem under the wide and starry sky, / Dig the grave and let me lie." These lines convey Stevenson's desire to be laid to rest alongside his mother, under the vastness of the night sky.
The second stanza of "Requiem" is a tribute to Stevenson's mother, in which he remembers her kindness, love, and generosity. He writes: "Glad did I live and gladly die, / And I laid me down with a will. / This be the verse you grave for me: / Here he lies where he longed to be; / Home is the sailor, home from the sea, / And the hunter home from the hill." These lines convey Stevenson's sense of peace and acceptance at the end of his life, and his belief that he is finally reunited with his mother in death.
The final stanza of "Requiem" is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the enduring power of love. Stevenson writes: "Love and memory last, and up from the earth / Spring joy and growth in sweet rebirth. / Farewell, dear mother. Here I am laid, / And in my breast your love shall stay." These lines suggest that the love between Stevenson and his mother will continue to live on, even after her physical death.
In "Requiem," Stevenson uses vivid imagery and emotive language to convey his deep sense of loss and his longing to be reunited with his mother in death. The poem is a poignant and moving tribute to the enduring bond of love between a mother and son.
