"Should You Go First" by Albert Kennedy "Rosey" Rowswell

Should you go first and I remain,
To walk the road alone,
I'll live in memory's garden, dear,
With happy days we've known.
In Spring I'll wait for roses red,
When fades the lilac blue,
In early Fall when brown leaves call
I'll catch a glimpse of you.

Should you go first and I remain,
For battles to be fought,
Each thing you've touched along the way
Will be a hallowed spot.
I'll hear your voice, I'll see your smile,
Though blindly I may grope,
The memory of your helping hand
Will buoy me on with hope.

Should you go first and I remain,
To finish with the scroll,
No length 'ning shadows shall creep in
To make this life seem droll.
We've known so much of happiness,
We've had our cup of joy,
And memory is one gift of God
That death cannot destroy.

Should you go first and I remain,
One thing I'd have you do:
Walk slowly down that long, lone path,
For soon I'll follow you.
I'll want to know each step you take
That I may walk the same,
For some day down that lonely road
You'll hear me call your name.

 

Analysis:

a) This poem is about a woman who is telling her love what she will do, and what he should do, if he goes first.  She says that she will remember their good and bad times, his face, smile, and voice.  If he goes to war, she will keep every place he has been in her mind, and use it to fuel her hope of his return.  She also tells him that, if he dies first, she will not be sad for she will soon be with him.

 

b) The theme of this peom is that even if someone is gone, memory and love keep them alive until you see them on "that lonely road".

 

Personal Connection:

    This poem means a lot to me because it was the poem that my grandmother wanted read at my grandfather's memorial.  I had read the poem before the memorial (because my mom made the copies), and I thought it was very sad and dreary.  When my aunt was reading it at the memorial, I realized why my grandmother chose it.  She chose it because of the message that death cannot seperate anyone who truely loved and knew that person.