Memory: The poem is structured around a series of memories, fragmented and disjointed, that the speaker recalls while lying in bed. These memories are not necessarily chronological, but rather connected by a sense of longing and sorrow. The speaker's mind drifts through the past, revisiting moments both joyous and painful, ultimately revealing the profound impact that these memories have on the present.
Loss: The poem is heavily laced with a sense of loss, both explicit and implicit. The speaker's "beloved" is absent, and the poem is a testament to their absence. The bed is a physical representation of this loss, a place where the speaker once shared intimacy, now a reminder of their absence.
The Enduring Power of Love: Despite the overwhelming sense of loss, the poem also conveys a powerful message about the enduring nature of love. The speaker's memories are filled with love and tenderness, and the final lines suggest that this love transcends death and continues to sustain the speaker in the present.
Other themes:
* Isolation: The speaker's solitude is evident in their solitary confinement in the bed and their inability to fully escape the past.
* The Nature of Grief: The poem explores the complexities of grief, its ability to overwhelm and its power to linger.
* The Fragility of Life: The poem hints at the inevitability of death and the ephemeral nature of existence.
Overall, "Who Sleeps on My Bed" is a haunting and deeply personal poem that reflects on the bittersweet experience of love, loss, and memory. Through its poignant imagery and evocative language, the poem invites readers to contemplate the enduring power of human connection even in the face of tragedy.