Hi Emma,
To my shame, I very seldom comment on fellow members' work. This is not because I don't read or admire it (although I don't always understand it!) It is because I don't have the poetical expertise to offer an opinion - I either like it or I don't. The reason that I'm responding to this piece is because I really do like it. The opening lines remind me of that poem by Wendy Cope about the flowers that were never bought, and also of a poem that I wrote a while ago called Rest In Peace (same sort of sentiment, but yours is more sympathetic) A really good poem - well done
Mike

Hi Emma. I agree that this is lovely; I like the rhymes and the sentiments. I would drop the capital letters if this were me, however, as I think it stops the flow.

So, what use are roses to me now? Brought in memory but lost somehow as darkness shuts out sunshine from your day and worms will wrap around me in decay. Remember me by firelight not by stone forget that I have gone; I’m still at home waiting for the soft tone of your voice to wake me from a slumber without choice.

What do you think?

joanie

ps Did you mean Bought in memory?

Hi, thanks for your comments... no I did mean brought, to the grave side, but I guess bought would still work. I'm used to using the traditional capitalisation, old habbits die hard
Emma x

Thanks, Emma, for the clarification. Yes, of course, they were brought to the graveside. Sorry!

joanie

Hi Joanie,
A lovely poem, very lonely sentiments.

Hi Emma,

This reminded me a lot Christina Rossetti's 'When I am dead, my dearest' - especially with the reference to the roses. But it's more of a reposte to that sentiment. Rossetti is saying that whatever makes the grief easier, remembering or forgetting, is what those left behind should do, whereas the subject of your poem wishes to be remembered, to remain somehow in all the places she was when she was alive.

I agree with Joanie on the added punctuation as it needs more structure, but the sentiment and imagery is spot on. I really liked it.
Flo