Heart of mine, if all the altars
Bliss Carman's "Heart of Mine" is a poem that explores the idea of love and devotion. The speaker reflects on how their heart has been shaped by their experiences, and how it continues to beat with a sense of longing and yearning for something greater than themselves. The poem is written in free verse, with a loose, expressive rhythm that mirrors the speaker's emotional state. The poem explores themes of love, devotion, and the human experience. How does this resonate with you?
By Bliss Carman · First published 1892 · Genre: Poetry, Romantic, Nature · 266 words
First lines
Heart of mine, if all the altars Of the ages stood before me, Not one pure enough nor sacred Could I find to lay this white, white Rose of love upon.
I who am not great enough to Love thee with this mortal body So impassionate with ardour, But oh, not too small to worship While the sun shall shine, --
I would build a fragrant temple To thee, in the dark green forest, Of red cedar and fine sandal, And there love thee with sweet service All my whole life long.
I would freshen it with flowers, And the piney hill-wind through it Should be sweetened with soft fervours Of small prayers in gentle language Thou wouldst smile to hear.
What this Textopian page supports
Heart of mine, if all the altars is listed on Textopian as a poem by Bliss Carman, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Bliss Carman
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romantic, Nature
- Length: 266 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Heart of mine, if all the altars by Bliss Carman
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Heart of mine, if all the altars?
- How does this poem by Bliss Carman fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- How Strange Is Love O My Lover by Bliss Carman
- Phaon O My Lover by Bliss Carman
- As On A Morn A Traveller Might Emerge by Bliss Carman
- Softer Than The Hill Fog To The Forest by Bliss Carman
- Softly The First Step Of Twilight by Bliss Carman
- There Is A Medlar Tree by Bliss Carman
Genres
- Poetry — Bliss Carman is primarily known as a poet, and 'Heart of mine, if all the altars' is one of his poetry collections.
- Romantic — Given the title and the common themes Bliss Carman explores, there is likely a romantic element to many of the poems in this collection.
- Nature — Bliss Carman's writing often reflects a deep appreciation for and connection to the natural world.
Tags
Romantic · Poetry · Nature · Spirituality · Mysticism · Symbolism · Metaphor · Imagery · Personification · Alliteration · Assonance · Repetition