The speaker is trying to let go of something—perhaps a love or a hurt—and asks that it fade the way ordinary beautiful things fade: a flower, a fire, a footstep in snow. Repeating “let it be forgotten” feels like both a wish and a gentle command to herself. There is sadness here, but little anger; she calls time a kind friend because age will soften the memory. The images are lovely and vanishing: a fire that once burned gold, a hushed footfall, snow that has covered every trace. The mood is wistful and resigned, almost prayer-like, as if forgetting is the only peace available. Even the line “if anyone asks, say it was forgotten” suggests she does not want the past kept alive by talk. The poem leaves a quiet, melancholy aftertaste—less a cry of pain than a soft effort to close a door.
"Let It Be Forgotten" — Summary
Let it be forgotten, as a flower is forgotten, Forgotten as a fire that once was singing gold, Let it be forgotten for ever and ever, Time is a kind friend, he will make us old.
If anyone asks, say it was forgotten Long and long ago, As a flower, as a fire, as a hushed footfall In a long forgotten snow.