# O Do Not Leave Me explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by George MacDonald.

## What happens

The speaker pleads with mother, lover, brother, and friends not to leave until death, and then turns to God with a request not to be left until complete unity of heart and mind is achieved, so that leaving itself is transcended.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love as Ultimate Strength

The speaker's reliance on the presence of mother, lover, brother, and friends to find peace and ascent.

### Longing for Immortality

The final petition to God for oneness that transcends leaving, implying a desire for eternal union.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who implores mother, lover, brother, friends, and God not to leave.

### God

Addressed directly in the final plea for unity and transcendence of separation.

## Key lines

> O do not leave me, mother, lest I weep; Till I forget, be near me in that chair. The mother’s presence leads her down to sleep⁠— Leaves her contented there.

Please stay with me, mother, so I won't cry; sit by me until I can forget my sorrow. Your comforting presence helps me fall asleep peacefully.

_The speaker seeks maternal comfort to find rest._

> Leave me not, God, until⁠—nay, until when? Not till I have with thee one heart, one mind; Not till the Life is Light in me, and then Leaving is left behind.

Do not abandon me, God—until when? Until I am completely united with you in heart and mind, until my life becomes radiant with your light, and then separation will no longer exist.

_The speaker's ultimate plea for divine union that abolishes all parting._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters/o-do-not-leave-me
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_8_se/chapters