God Gave to me a Child in Part

Name: God Gave to me a Child in Part
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson

The poem reflects the deep emotional turmoil of a father mourning the loss of a child who never had the chance to be born. The speaker expresses a profound sense of loss and longing, grappling with the absence of the child who was never able to experience life, love, or the nurturing environment of a family. The father feels a connection to the child, despite their separation, and laments the moments they will never share together. The speaker's voice serves as a bridge, attempting to reach the child in the afterlife or in the realm of the unborn. There is a poignant contrast between the joy of potential parenthood and the sorrow of unfulfilled dreams. The father reflects on the intimate moments he envisioned with the child and the love he felt for both the child and the mother. The poem captures the essence of grief, the yearning for connection, and the bittersweet nature of love that transcends life and death. Throughout the work, themes of loss, love, and the fragility of life are explored. The father's heartache is palpable, as he grapples with the reality of his child's absence while cherishing the brief existence that the child had within him. The poem ultimately serves as a meditation on the complexities of parenthood, the pain of separation, and the enduring bond between a parent and child, even in the face of loss.

By Robert Louis Stevenson · First published 1891 · Genre: Poetry, Lyrical, Romanticism · 179 words

First lines

GOD gave to me a child in part, Yet wholly gave the father's heart: Child of my soul, O whither now, Unborn, unmothered, goest thou?

You came, you went, and no man wist; Hapless, my child, no breast you kist; On no dear knees, a privileged babbler, clomb, Nor knew the kindly feel of home.

My voice may reach you, O my dear- A father's voice perhaps the child may hear; And, pitying, you may turn your view On that poor father whom you never knew.

Alas! alone he sits, who then, Immortal among mortal men, Sat hand in hand with love, and all day through With your dear mother wondered over you.

What this Textopian page supports

God Gave to me a Child in Part is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson, dated 1891 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Date: 1891 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Lyrical, Romanticism, Elegy, Philosophical
Length: 179 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
Lyrical — The poem expresses personal emotions and reflections on loss and longing.
Romanticism — Themes of love, nature, and emotional depth align with Romantic literary ideals.
Elegy — The poem mourns the loss of a child, fitting the characteristics of an elegiac form.