Let It Be Forgotten by Sara Teasdale

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inJoy, LadyBudd, Peace, Poetry, Sara Teasdale, Sunday Evening ReflectionTags:, , , ,

Sara Teasdale’s poem “Let It Be Forgotten” is a brief yet powerful piece that reflects the poet’s desire to forget the past and move on.

Let It Be Forgotten

by Sara Teasdale

Let it be forgotten, as a flower is forgotten,
Forgotten as a fire that once was singing gold,
Let it be forgotten for ever and ever,
Time is a kind friend, he will make us old.

If anyone asks, say it was forgotten
Long and long ago,
As a flower, as a fire, as a hushed footfall
In a long forgotten snow.

“Let It Be Forgotten” is a poem by Sara Teasdale, an American lyric poet known for her emotional and romantic poetry. The poem speaks to the idea of letting go of past pain and heartache, and moving forward with a new sense of hope and freedom. Through her vivid imagery and lyrical language, Teasdale encourages the reader to embrace the present moment and release the burdens of the past. The poem is a powerful reminder of the healing power of letting go and moving on.

“Let it be forgotten, as a flower is forgotten reminds us that the pain of the past can fade away like the memory of a flower that has wilted.

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

26 thoughts on “Let It Be Forgotten by Sara Teasdale”

  2. I love the last line…it is absolutely perfect! Thank you for sharing this lovely poem. It is beautifully written, and it certainly speaks to the passage of time, and starting over each new day.

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    1. Many thanks, Linda for your visit and insightful comment. The idea of starting over ever day is about hope, which comes through in this poem. Choosing hope rather than dwelling of the negative is a life-affirming decision, which is not easy to do at times. I believe that hope is an essential part of the human experience. There is a sense of optimism and purpose, even in the face of adversity. Your blog is the essence of hope in action.

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      1. Thank you so very much for your supportive comment about my blog! So much of the Bible encourages us to dwell in hope. I believe that God desires for us to live in expectant hope at all times. Life is not always easy, but a hopeful heart endures many things. John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Wishing you Easter joy as we celebrate our Risen Lord!

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    1. I am looking forward to summer too, Jean-Jacques. We have had unseasonably cold weather. Yesterday it hailed in Vancouver and snowed In North Vancouver. Thank you so much for your visit and comments.

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    1. Thank you, Dave – you always give a lift to my day. I started Sunday Evening Reflections long before I came to blogging. I always felt a “Sunday Evening” angst, knowing that Monday morning was fast approaching. Poetry became my go-to place. That was when I first discovered Sara Teasdale. I appreciated her ability to convey complex emotions in a simple yet powerful manner. She speaks to the human experience and brings out themes of love, nature, and connections. She did not have an easy life journey, which added a profound vitality to her poetry. She suffered from poor health, a failed marriage, and depression. Despite her struggles, she continued to write and her poetry often reflected her emotions.

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    1. Thank you, Colleen for joining me in my favourite garden in North Vancouver. The tulips will be coming soon and then summer will bring more colour to the garden. And yet, I find that there is a reverence that comes through the transition between Winter and Spring. Poetry and gardens are the best companions.

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    1. I agree wholeheartedly, Liz. My feisty great-aunt had a saying: “I’ll forgive but I will never forget.” Perhaps forgiving releases the hurt and the “never forgetting” is a preventative tactic. I have read that forgetting painful events is a natural process that occurs over time. The brain has a way of filtering out memories that are no longer relevant or necessary for survival. Even so, some memories are difficult for the mind to suppress. When I read “Let it be forgotten” I feel that Sara Teasdale is asking me to make a choice to let go of negativity. After all, there are other life-affirming memories to remember. As you said so well, our experiences remain part of us nonetheless.

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    1. Thank you, Shey. I discovered Sara Teasdale a couple of years ago and did research into his biography. She did not have an easy life. Born on August 8, 1884, in St. Louis, Missouri, she grew up in a wealthy family and attended Hosmer Hall, a private school for girls. She began writing poetry at a young age and published her first poem at the age of 22. One of my favorite poems is “There Will Come Soft Rains.” In 1918, she won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for her collection “Love Songs.” Despite her success, she struggled with depression throughout her life. She married twice, but both marriages ended in divorce. In 1933,Teasdale took her own life at the age of 48. I have read that, in the years leading up to her death, she was living as a semi-invalid, after experiencing a difficult bout of pneumonia.

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    1. I am thrilled that you enjoyed this recitation, Carolyn. I am enjoying learning more about Sara Teasdale and her poetry. Her poetic words captures the essence of human emotions. She is introspective, exploring the complexities of love, loss, and longing. What I appreciate most is her ability to connect with readers, leaving them with a sense of understanding and empathy. Thank you so much for your visit and comments.

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