A Prayer by George William Russell
A Prayer, by George William Russell, is a poem that explores the human desire for connection with something greater than oneself. The speaker in the poem expresses their longing to be heard and understood by a higher power, and asks for guidance and strength in navigating life's challenges. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, the poet conveys a sense of awe and reverence towards the divine, while also acknowledging the limitations of human understanding. Overall, A Prayer is a moving tribute to the power of faith and the enduring search for meaning in life.
By George William Russell · First published 1904 · Genre: Poetry, Spiritual, Nature · 160 words
First lines
O, holy Spirit of the Hazel, hearken now, / Though shining suns and silver moons burn on the bough, / And though the fruit of stars by many myriads gleam, / Yet in the undergrowth below, still in thy dream, / Lighting the labyrinthine maze and monstrous gloom / Are many gem-winged flowers with gay and delicate bloom; / And in the shade, hearken, O Dreamer of the Tree, / One wild rose blossom of thy spirit breathed on me / With lovely and still light, a little sister flower / To those that whitely on the tall moon branches tower, / Lord of the Hazel now, oh hearken while I pray, / This wild rose blossom of thy spirit fades away.
What this Textopian page supports
A Prayer is listed on Textopian as a poem by George William Russell, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: George William Russell
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Spiritual, Nature, Symbolism
- Length: 160 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
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- Work identity for A Prayer by George William Russell
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles
- A Song Prayer by George Macdonald
- A Winter Prayer by George Macdonald
- Rest by George William Russell
- To My God by George Macdonald
- At Matins by Francis Sherman
- Prayer Out Of The Deep by Charles Kingsley
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing poetic devices such as imagery, metaphor, and rhythm.
- Spiritual — The text invokes a spiritual entity and contains themes of prayer and divine presence.
- Nature — The imagery and themes are heavily centered around natural elements like trees, flowers, and celestial bodies.
- Symbolism — The work uses symbolic language to convey deeper meanings, such as the 'wild rose blossom' representing a spiritual or ephemeral concept.
Tags
spirituality · prayer · faith · meditation · reflection · inner peace · divinity · transcendence · serenity · contemplation · wisdom · hope