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Poetry · Chapter

December 23, 1879 explained

The speaker feels surrounded by poetic inspiration yet unable to access it, comparing himself to a nut in frozen ground or a featherless bird in God's nest, and ultimately affirms that all barriers will be broken by obedience to the Father'

What happens

The speaker feels surrounded by poetic inspiration yet unable to access it, comparing himself to a nut in frozen ground or a featherless bird in God's nest, and ultimately affirms that all barriers will be broken by obedience to the Father's will.

Themes in this chapter

  • Divine Fatherhood

    The speaker finds comfort in being held in God's nest and emphasizes obedience to the Father's will.

  • Spiritual Struggle and Doubt

    The speaker experiences an aching sense of isolation and inability to access poetic or spiritual truth.

  • Nature as Divine Revelation

    Imagery of nuts, eggs, seeds, and nests illustrates the hidden potential for growth and divine purpose.

Characters to notice

  • Unknown

    The speaker who laments being shut out from poetic houses and later finds hope in being held in God's nest.

  • God

    Referred to as the one whose nest holds the speaker and whose will strings all lovely things.

  • Love

    Implied as the Father whose will is to be heeded by the obedient child.

Key passages

  • “I am lying a voiceless, featherless thing in God’s own perfect nest; And the voice and the song are growing within me, slowly lifting my breast; And his wide night-wings are closed about me, for his sun is down in the west!”

    I am a helpless, silent creature cradled in God's care, and my ability to sing is developing inside me, while God's protective presence surrounds me in the darkness.

    The speaker finds solace in being nurtured by God, awaiting the emergence of his own voice.

  • “On the will of the Father all lovely things are strung like a string of beads For his heart to give the obedient child that the will of the father heeds.”

    All beautiful things are arranged according to the Father's will, like beads on a string, and He gives them to the child who obeys Him.

    The poem concludes with a vision of divine order and reward for obedience.

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