Poetry · Chapter
Smoke explained
The speaker laments their inability to offer a pure, fervent devotion to God, describing their heart as a damp altar fire that will not burn.
What happens
The speaker laments their inability to offer a pure, fervent devotion to God, describing their heart as a damp altar fire that will not burn. Despite repeated failures, coldness, and doubt, they send up the smoke of their imperfect efforts, trusting that the perfect Giver will respond with divine lightning.
Themes in this chapter
Spiritual Struggle and Doubt
The speaker's inability to make the heart's fire burn and the presence of 'Coldness and doubt' highlight a deep spiritual struggle.
Redemption and Grace
Despite failure, the speaker offers the smoke to the 'perfect Giver,' trusting in divine response and grace.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Lord, I have laid my heart upon thy altar But cannot get the wood to burn; It hardly flares ere it begins to falter And to the dark return.”
I have offered my heart to you, God, but I cannot ignite true devotion; it barely sparks before fading back into darkness.
The speaker confesses the failure of their spiritual fervor.
“’Tis all I have—smoke, failure, foiled endeavour, Coldness and doubt and palsied lack: Such as I have I send thee!—perfect Giver, Send thou thy lightning back.”
This is all I can offer—imperfect smoke, failed attempts, coldness, and doubt. I send it as it is, trusting you, the perfect Giver, to send your divine fire in return.
The speaker offers their inadequacy to God, hoping for a transformative response.