Trust by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem explores the theme of trust and its fragility. It describes a relationship where one person's trust has been broken, leading to feelings of betrayal and hurt. The speaker reflects on how easily trust can be lost and how difficult it is to regain. The poem highlights the importance of honesty and transparency in relationships.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1840 · Genre: Poetry, Spiritual, Philosophical · 171 words
First lines
The same old baffling questions! O my friend, I cannot answer them. In vain I send My soul into the dark, where never burn The lamps of science, nor the natural light Of Reason's sun and stars! I cannot learn Their great and solemn meanings, nor discern The awful secrets of the eyes which turn Evermore on us through the day and night With silent challenge and a dumb demand, Proffering the riddles of the dread unknown, Like the calm Sphinxes, with their eyes of stone, Questioning the centuries from their veils of sand! I have no answer for myself or thee, Save that I learned beside my mother's knee; "All is of God that is, and is to be; And God is good. " Let this suffice us still, Resting in childlike trust upon His will Who moves to His great ends unthwarted by the ill. 1853.
What this Textopian page supports
Trust is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1840 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1840 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Spiritual, Philosophical, Religious, Reflective
- Length: 171 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
- Spiritual — Themes of faith, trust in God, and existential contemplation are central to the text.
- Philosophical — The exploration of profound questions about existence and knowledge reflects philosophical inquiry.
- Religious — The text discusses divine will and the nature of God, indicating a religious context.
Tags
Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Free Verse · Nature Poetry · Moralism · Social Commentary · Romanticism · Emotional Expression · Philosophical Themes · Existential Crisis · Faith and Doubt