One of my favourite poems by Christina Rossetti is the lovely and comfortingly simple “Uphill”. The poem is written as a dialogue between two people and has always expressed to me both the hardship of the Christian walk and the certainty of the hope before us. I have tried to reflect these things in writing this poem.
The Road (After Christina Rossetti’s “Uphill”)
The road is longer than I thought. Yes: longer, and much harder too. The pain is great. Why weren’t we told? You didn’t hear Him when He warned you. The victory songs we sang were lies. Not lies, but only half the truth. There is no sign yet in the skies. Not yet, but His scars are our proof. What can we hope for, as we wait? For grace sufficient for our thorns. And will this see us through His gate? Of that you can be sure. And then will day consume our night?The endless day will start. And will our faith then be made sight? Yes, sight to fill your heart.
The Consolations of Writing 
A perfect poem to recite in response to a revival singing of “Victory in Jesus.”
Thanks Tony! Yes, I found it helpful personally to recognise that complete victory is still a long time coming. Good to look forward to it, though.
Love! I love the lines, “What can we hope for, as we wait? For grace sufficient for our thorns. And the last lines, “And then will day consume our night? The endless day will start. And will our faith then be made sight? Yes, sight to fill your heart.”
Thanks so much! I’m really glad you liked it 🙂
This is a real contrast to the way some churches promote a prosperity gospel (which is so unbiblical), thanks for being real Matthew and sharing your own struggle with us all.
Thanks, Jan. I always appreciate Christian writing that is real and honest so I try to be as real and honest as I can in my own work!
Good. How does: http://dcbverse.blogspot.co.uk/2008/05/parable.html strike you as an indirect CGR reaction/
I like your poem. It reminds me a lot of “Up-Hill”. I really like the mood that the dialogue creates. Thanks for sharing!