Poem: “I Will Arise” by Christina Rossetti

Weary and weak, – accept my weariness;
Weary and weak and downcast in my soul,
With hope growing less and less,
And with the goal
Distant and dim, – accept my sore distress.
I thought to reach the goal so long ago,
At outset of the race I dreamed of rest,
Not knowing what now I know
Of breathless haste,
Of long-drawn straining effort across the waste.

One only thing I knew. Thy love of me;
One only thing I know, Thy sacred same
Love of me full and free,
A craving flame
Of selfless love of me which burns in Thee.
How can I think of Thee, and yet grow chill:
Of Thee, and yet grow cold and nigh to death?

Re-energize my will,
Rebuild my faith;
I will arise and run, Thou giveth me breath.
I will rise, repenting and in pain;
I will arise and smile upon my breast

And turn to Thee again;
Thou choosest best,
Lead me along the road Thou makest plain .
Lead me a little way, and carry me
A little way, and listen to my sighs,
And store my tears with Thee.
And deign replies
To feeble prayers, – O Lord, I will arise.