When my Heart is Vexed, I will Complain
A suffering speaker repeatedly questions the Lord's love and asks why He withholds comfort. The divine voice recalls His suffering and crucifixion for the speaker, urges patience, and promises sleep followed by awakening with Him in Paradise.
By Christina Georgina Rossetti · Genre: Christian Devotional Poetry, Dramatic Poetry · 449 words
First lines
"O Lord, how canst Thou say Thou lovest me? / Me whom thou settest in a barren land, / Hungry and thirsty on the burning sand, / Hungry and thirsty where no waters be / Nor shadows of date-bearing tree: -- / O Lord, how canst Thou say Thou lovest me?"
"I came from Edom by as parched a track, / As rough a track beneath My bleeding feet. / I came from Edom seeking thee, and sweet / I counted bitterness; I turned not back / But counted life as death, and trod / The winepress all alone: and I am God."
Genres
- Christian Devotional Poetry — The speaker addresses the Lord, whose replies affirm His love through His crucifixion and promise companionship in Paradise.
- Dramatic Poetry — Six rhymed stanzas alternate between a suffering speaker's questions and the divine voice's answers.
Tags
faith and doubt · divine love · suffering · crucifixion · patience · Paradise
What this Textopian page supports
When my Heart is Vexed, I will Complain 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, Dramatic Poetry
- Length: 449 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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