Long Barren by Christina Georgina Rossetti
The speaker recalls Christ's crucifixion and crown of thorns, confesses spiritual barrenness, and asks for strength to bear better fruit. Addressing him through images of flowering and fruitful plants, the speaker asks him to nourish their feeble shoots.
By Christina Georgina Rossetti · Genre: Christian Devotional Poetry, Lyric Poetry · 143 words
First lines
Thou who didst hang upon a barren tree, / My God, for me; / Though I till now be barren, now at length, / Lord, give me strength / To bring forth fruit to Thee.
Thou who didst bear for me the crown of thorn, / Spitting and scorn; / Though I till now have put forth thorns, yet now / Strengthen me Thou / That better fruit be borne.
Thou Rose of Sharon, Cedar of broad roots, / Vine of sweet fruits, / Thou Lily of the vale with fadeless leaf, / Of thousands Chief, / Feed Thou my feeble shoots.
Genres
- Christian Devotional Poetry — The speaker addresses the crucified God in prayer, recalling his suffering and asking for strength and spiritual nourishment.
- Lyric Poetry — Three short rhymed stanzas express the speaker's confession and plea through repeated direct addresses.
Tags
prayer · crucifixion · repentance · spiritual growth · plant imagery
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Long Barren is listed on Textopian as a poem by Christina Georgina Rossetti, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Christina Georgina Rossetti
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Christian Devotional Poetry, Lyric Poetry
- Length: 143 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
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