Poems (Rossetti, 1901)/De Profundis

by Christina Georgina Rossetti

For works with similar titles, see De Profundis.

DE PROFUNDIS.

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 scattered 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.