Christina Rossetti, a prominent Victorian poet, is known for her deeply emotional and spiritual poetry. Her work often explores themes of love, loss, faith, and the passage of time. In this post, we have carefully selected ten of the best Christina Rossetti poems that reflect her poetic brilliance and enduring influence.
1. "Goblin Market"
Morning and evening
Maids heard the goblins cry:
“Come buy our orchard fruits,
Come buy, come buy!”
"Goblin Market" is perhaps Rossetti’s most famous poem, a richly imaginative narrative that tells the story of two sisters tempted by goblins selling enchanted fruit. The poem explores themes of temptation, sacrifice, and redemption, and its fairy-tale quality has made it a beloved classic.
2. "Remember"
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.
"Remember" is a sonnet that reflects on the themes of memory and loss. The poem’s speaker asks to be remembered after death, but ultimately urges the loved one to forget and be happy if remembering brings pain.
3. "In the Bleak Midwinter"
In the bleak midwinter,
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
"In the Bleak Midwinter" is a Christmas carol that has become a beloved hymn. The poem paints a stark yet beautiful picture of winter, symbolizing the humble birth of Christ and the hope that it brings to a cold world.
4. "When I Am Dead, My Dearest"
When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
"When I Am Dead, My Dearest" is a poignant meditation on death and the desire for peace after passing. The speaker rejects mourning rituals and instead asks for a simple remembrance, if at all.
5. "A Birthday"
My heart is like a singing bird
Whose nest is in a watered shoot;
My heart is like an apple-tree
Whose boughs are bent with thick-set fruit;
"A Birthday" is a joyful poem celebrating love and spiritual fulfillment. The speaker’s heart is compared to various images of natural abundance, reflecting the deep happiness that comes with love or divine grace.
6. "Echo"
Come to me in the silence of the night;
Come in the speaking silence of a dream;
Come with soft rounded cheeks and eyes as bright
As sunlight on a stream;
"Echo" is a melancholic poem that expresses the longing for a lost love to return, even if only in dreams. The poem’s repetition and soft, lyrical quality evoke a haunting sense of desire and sorrow.
7. "Up-Hill"
Does the road wind up-hill all the way?
Yes, to the very end.
Will the day’s journey take the whole long day?
From morn to night, my friend.
"Up-Hill" is a dialogue that uses the metaphor of a journey up a hill to explore themes of life, death, and the afterlife. The poem’s straightforward questions and answers reflect Rossetti’s deep religious faith and the comfort it brings.
8. "Love Came Down at Christmas"
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.
"Love Came Down at Christmas" is another of Rossetti’s Christmas poems that celebrates the incarnation of divine love in the world. The poem’s simplicity and warmth have made it a favorite during the holiday season.
9. "Song"
When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree:
"Song" is another meditation on death, similar in theme to "When I Am Dead, My Dearest." The speaker asks for no mourning, reflecting a desire for a peaceful, natural passing without the trappings of sorrow.
10. "Amor Mundi"
"Oh, where are you going with your love-locks flowing,
On the west wind blowing along this valley track?"
"The downhill path is easy, come with me an it please ye,
We shall escape the uphill by never turning back."
"Amor Mundi" is a cautionary poem about the temptations of worldly pleasures and the dangers of choosing the easy path in life. The poem’s dialogue and vivid imagery convey the allure and ultimate emptiness of a life focused on worldly desires.
Christina Rossetti’s poetry is rich with emotional depth, spiritual reflection, and lyrical beauty. These ten poems provide a window into her unique voice and the timeless themes that continue to resonate with readers today.
