Dejection by George MacDonald (1863)
"Dejection" is a poem written by George MacDonald that explores the theme of sadness and despair. The speaker in the poem expresses feelings of hopelessness and loneliness, as if they are trapped in a dark and desolate place with no way out. Throughout the poem, there are references to nature and the changing seasons, which serve as metaphors for the speaker's emotional state. The poem ends on a note of resignation, with the speaker accepting their fate and acknowledging that they may never find happiness or peace in this world.
By George MacDonald · First published 1863 · Genre: Poetry, Religious, Philosophical · 147 words
First lines
O Father, I am in the dark, / My soul is heavy-bowed: / I send my prayer up like a lark, / Up through my vapoury shroud, / To find thee, / And remind thee / I am thy child, and thou my father, / Though round me death itself should gather.
Lay thy loved hand upon my head, / Let thy heart beat in mine; / One thought from thee, when all seems dead, / Will make the darkness shine / About me / And throughout me!
And should again the dull night gather, / I'll cry again, _Thou art my father_.
What this Textopian page supports
Dejection is listed on Textopian as a poem by George MacDonald, dated 1863 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: George MacDonald
- Date: 1863 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Religious, Philosophical, Lyric
- Length: 147 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Dejection by George MacDonald
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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- A Prelude by Francis Sherman
- The Silence Of Love by George William Russell
Genres
- Poetry — The text is structured in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Religious — The themes revolve around a spiritual plea and a connection with a divine figure, indicating religious undertones.
- Philosophical — The exploration of existential themes such as darkness, death, and the search for meaning suggests a philosophical dimension.
- Lyric — The personal and emotional expression of the speaker's inner state aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
Tags
emotion · melancholy · nature · reflection · poetry · sorrow · imagination · spirituality · self-discovery · loss · beauty · transcendence