"Requiescat" is a poem by the famous Irish playwriter and poet Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900). The poem was written in memory of his younger sister Isola, who died aged 9 from fever when Oscar was twelve years old. Even if she now rests in peace underground, the poems tells you to be careful around her grave since she might be able to feel or hear any disturbance.
The word requiescat is a Latin phrase meaning "may he or she rest in peace". It’s used as a prayer for the dead, them eternal peace.
You can read an anlysis of “Requiescat” on PoemAnalysis or InterestingLiterature.
Requiescat
Poem by Oscar Wilde
Tread lightly, she is near
Under the snow,
Speak gently, she can hear
The daisies grow.
All her bright golden hair
Tarnished with rust,
She that was young and fair
Fallen to dust.
Lily-like, white as snow,
She hardly knew
She was a woman, so
Sweetly she grew.
Coffin-board, heavy stone,
Lie on her breast,
I vex my heart alone
She is at rest.
Peace, Peace, she cannot hear
Lyre or sonnet,
All my life’s buried here,
Heap earth upon it.
