* Mortality and the Passage of Time: The poem explores the inevitability of death and how it marks the end of a life's story. The speaker contemplates the lady's past, acknowledging the fleeting nature of time and the impermanence of life.
* Memory and Legacy: The poem focuses on how the lady's memory is preserved through the speaker's recollection and the inscription on her tombstone. It explores the ways in which we remember and honor the dead, and the lasting impact they can have on us.
* Love and Loss: While the poem doesn't explicitly mention a romantic relationship, the speaker's wistful and tender tone suggests a sense of loss and regret. The speaker's contemplation of the lady's life evokes a sense of profound sadness and the bittersweet nature of love and loss.
* The Fragility of Beauty: The poem speaks to the fleeting beauty of human life. The speaker contrasts the lady's past beauty with her present state, suggesting that beauty is a transient aspect of life, eventually yielding to decay and death.
* The Search for Meaning: The speaker's contemplation of the lady's life reflects a broader search for meaning and purpose in the face of mortality. The poem suggests that even in death, we can find solace in remembering and appreciating the lives of those we've lost.
Ultimately, "Here Lies a Lady" is a multifaceted poem that invites a personal and reflective reading. Its themes resonate with the universal experience of death, loss, and the search for meaning in life.