The Shrine by Sara Teasdale (1918)
The poem explores themes of solitude, longing, and the search for divine presence. The speaker reflects on an inner emptiness, likening their heart to an unoccupied shrine, devoid of a deity or spiritual fulfillment. The imagery of intertwined rose and myrtle suggests beauty and potential, yet the absence of a god emphasizes a profound loneliness. The speaker acknowledges their isolation, expressing a yearning for connection with the divine. The absence of a tangible god, represented by a carved stone figure, highlights the struggle between faith and doubt. The act of dreaming and weeping alone signifies a deep emotional turmoil and a desire for transcendence. Despite this desolation, there is a glimmer of hope. The speaker resolves to maintain their altar, symbolizing a commitment to nurturing their spiritual life. The act of garlanding roses suggests an effort to create beauty and meaning in their solitude. The anticipation of a morning when the god may appear indicates a belief in the possibility of divine presence, contingent upon the speaker's dedication. Ultimately, the work encapsulates the tension between despair and hope, illustrating the journey of the soul seeking connection with the divine amidst feelings of abandonment. The speaker's determination to keep their altar fair serves as a metaphor for the persistence of faith, suggesting that through devotion and care, one may eventually encounter the sacred.
By Sara Teasdale · First published 1918 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Spiritual, Romanticism · 104 words
First lines
There is no lord within my heart, Left silent as an empty shrine Where rose and myrtle intertwine, Within a place apart.
No god is there of carven stone To watch with still approving eyes My thoughts like steady incense rise; I dream and weep alone.
But if I keep my altar fair, Some morning I shall lift my head From roses deftly garlanded To find the god is there.
What this Textopian page supports
The Shrine is listed on Textopian as a poem by Sara Teasdale, dated 1918 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: 1918 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Spiritual, Romanticism, Symbolism, Modernism
- Length: 104 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Shrine?
- How does this poem by Sara Teasdale fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The poem expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Spiritual — The themes revolve around spirituality and the search for divine presence.
- Romanticism — The use of nature imagery and emotional depth aligns with Romantic literary themes.
- Symbolism — The poem employs symbols like the shrine and flowers to convey deeper meanings.
Tags
spirituality · loneliness · longing · nature · self-reflection · sacred · dreams · grief · hope · beauty · introspection · solitude