I held a jewel in my fingersAnd went to sleep.The day was warm, and winds were prosy;I said: "'T will keep."I woke and chid my honest fingers,-The gem was gone;And now an amethyst remembranceIs all I own.
In this poem, the speaker reflects on a moment of possession, where they held a precious jewel in their hand before falling asleep. The warm day and gentle winds create a serene atmosphere, leading the speaker to believe that the jewel would remain safe. However, upon waking, they discover that the jewel has disappeared, leaving them feeling regretful and chiding themselves for not safeguarding it.
The loss transforms the once tangible treasure into an intangible memory, represented by the "amethyst remembrance." This shift highlights the fragility of possessions and the bittersweet nature of memories, suggesting that while material things may be lost, the memories they evoke can linger on, albeit as a source of wistfulness rather than joy.
