A Graveside Poem In Memoriam: Francis Emerson Hancock

A fitting poem for a life lived full of faith and without regret.

At today's (November 25th) graveside service for Francis Hancock at Lexington Cemetary, daughter-in-law Sharon Hancock read a beautiful poem that helped us express our love for Francis and her unique style of living life gracefully and tenderly. It was written by English poet Christian Rosetti (1830-1894) who also happens to have shared a birthdate with Francis of December 5th. Here it is:

Let Me Go

by Christina Georgina Rosetti

When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom-filled room Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little, but not for long And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that once we shared Miss me, but let me go. For this is a journey we all must take And each must go alone. It's all part of the master plan A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know. Laugh at all the things we used to do Miss me, but let me go. When I am dead my dearest Sing no sad songs for me Plant thou no roses at my head Nor shady cypress tree Be the green grass above me With showers and dewdrops wet And if thou wilt, remember And if thou wilt, forget. I shall not see the shadows, I shall not fear the rain; I shall not hear the nightingale Sing on as if in pain; And dreaming through the twilight That doth not rise nor set, Haply I may remember, And haply may forget.