In Memorabilia Mortis

"In Memorabilia Mortis" by Francis Sherman is a collection of late 19th-century poems that uses the changing seasons to explore big ideas about death, memories, and how we deal with loss. Through six sonnets, the collection uses autumn as a symbol of endings, looking back, and nature's sad beauty, bringing to life images of falling leaves and the end of the year to stir up feelings of missing what's gone and thinking deeply. The journey through the poems lets the readers experience the shifting seasons, showing both the loveliness and the sadness that mixes with past loves and losses. Referencing characters from tales like Guenevere and Alcestis, Sherman shows how love's impact lasts beyond the grave. By the end, the book gives a sense of peace that comes with accepting that all things end, turning the sadness of autumn into a kind of respectful remembering that keeps cherished memories alive.