Oh why is heaven built so far,
   Oh why is earth set so remote?
I cannot reach the nearest star
   That hangs afloat.

I would not care to reach the moon,
   One round monotonous of change;
Yet even she repeats her tune
   Beyond my range.

I never watch the scatter'd fire
   Of stars, or sun's far-trailing train,
But all my heart is one desire,
   And all in vain:

For I am bound with fleshly bands,
   Joy, beauty, lie beyond my scope;
I strain my heart, I stretch my hands,
   And catch at hope.

Added: May 7 2003 | Viewed: 729 times | Comments (0)

Poet: Christina Rossetti
Poem: De Profundis
Volume: Poems
Year: Published/Written in 1881
There are no comments for this poem. Why not be the first one to post something about it?

Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, De Profundis, has not yet been commented on. You can click here to be the first to post a comment about it. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Christina Rossetti with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!