The Prayer by Sara Teasdale (1917)
The poem explores the theme of longing and disillusionment in the context of a prayer for love or fulfillment. The speaker initially expresses joy at the arrival of their answered prayer, personified as a figure who embodies their desires. However, this joy quickly turns to disappointment as the speaker realizes that the fulfillment of their wish is not as they had envisioned. The dialogue between the speaker and the personified prayer reveals a sense of bitterness and resignation. The speaker's heart reflects on the passage of time and the emotional toll of waiting. They acknowledge the beauty of the answered prayer but feel a profound sense of indifference, having waited too long for this moment. The speaker's yearning for an earlier arrival, when their feelings were fresh and intense, underscores a sense of lost opportunity and the fading of hope. As the poem progresses, the speaker grapples with the complexities of desire and the reality of fulfillment. The initial excitement is overshadowed by a sense of emptiness, suggesting that the act of waiting has altered their perception of what they once sought. The contrast between the idealized vision of love and the actual experience highlights the theme of unfulfilled expectations. Ultimately, the work reflects on the nature of desire, the passage of time, and the bittersweet realization that what one longs for may not bring the anticipated joy. The speaker's journey from hope to disillusionment serves as a poignant commentary on the human experience of longing and the often harsh realities that accompany the fulfillment of one's deepest wishes.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1917 · Genre: Poetry, Spiritual, Romanticism · 90 words
First lines
My answered prayer came up to me, And in the silence thus spake he: "O you who prayed for me to come, Your greeting is but cold and dumb."
My heart made answer: "You are fair, But I have prayed too long to care. Why came you not when all was new, And I had died for joy of you. "
What this Textopian page supports
The Prayer is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Sara Teasdale
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Spiritual, Romanticism, Lyric, Existential
- Length: 90 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of longing and disillusionment through lyrical expression.
- Spiritual — The poem addresses the concept of prayer and the relationship between the speaker and a divine presence.
- Romanticism — The themes of love, desire, and emotional depth align with the characteristics of Romantic literature.
- Lyric — The poem is personal and emotional, focusing on the speaker's inner feelings and reflections.
Tags
prayer · longing · silence · spirituality · disappointment · faith · communication · desire · reflection · heart · beauty · emotional