Sappho 94
Sappho 94 speaks of a powerful and lasting love. Sappho feels deep affection for her lover, and she fears that death will erase her from her lover's memory. So, in her lover's dying moments Sappho reminds her of the sweet time they spent together. She wants to make sure that her lover departs this life while reminiscing on their most intimate and cherished moments. Sappho does this in hopes that if her lover is somehow able to carry memories into the next life, that they would be of "the beautiful times we had." It reminds me of when Achilles is lamenting the death of Patroclus and says something to the effect of "And even in the world of the dead, if they have no memory, I will still remember you there." Even though her lover is dying, Sappho wants their love to endure for eternity.Â