Uphill
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.
But is there for the night a resting-place?
A roof for when the slow dark hours begin.
May not the darkness hide it from my face?
You cannot miss that inn.
Shall I meet other wayfarers at night?
Those who have gone before.
Then must I knock, or call when just in sight?
They will not keep you standing at that door.
Shall I find comfort, travel-sore and weak?
Of labour you shall find the sum.
Will there be beds for me and all who seek?
Yea, beds for all who come.
Commentary
Well, Thomas and I seem to have synched index numbers :) We apologize for the inconvenience.
Again, there is very little to say about this poem - it speaks for itself. Like most of Rossetti’s poems, it is characterized by a simple, lyrical style and a twilight-steeped atmosphere; note also the mildly unusual, but effective ‘conversational’ style.
This was, incidentally, the poem that first won Rossetti favourable public attention.
— Martin
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From the Wondering Minstrels mailing list, 1999–2008.
Theresa Daniels · 13 April 2001
the poem uphill by christina rossetti also shows symbolism in that the road is a symbol for life itself.the beds for all is death-in the line “Yea beds for all who come.”- Chris Walker
Sevgi Tarlan · 28 February 2003
Dear Mister,
Im student at the University of Brussels, and after having read your comments about “Uphill” by Christina Geargina Rossetti i would like to ask you if it could be possible to share more explanations about this poem. Indeed some questions remains without answers, among these i’m wondering why the author wrote this poem in a structure”question - answer”, does it symbolize something specific according to you
Thank you in advance for helping me
Sevgi Tarlan
Here is the e-mail address where you can reply :
Chilli820 · 12 March 2003
this poem is really good
Ballbmw · 15 January 2004
hi, i read your reply to sevgi tarion and your view about the poem uphill and i was wondering if you could tell me more so i could understand the poem better. thank you.
-shauna
Beacathlic · 11 April 2004
I was wondering who you said banned this book from Christina Rosetti “Uphill”. I don’t see how it is contrary to the Catholic Faith. Maybe you can clarify this.
Sincerley
Michael DiSalvo
Adrian McTiernan · 13 April 2007
Hello there Michael!This must be one of the longest-delayed messages I have ever written, but do you remember me making comments about Christina Rosetti’s Poem “Uphill”,where I mentioned that I heard that it was on the Catholic Churches ‘Banned’ List, and you sent a comment as below;”From: Beacathlic@
I was wondering who you said banned this book from Christina Rosetti “Uphill”. I don’t see how it is contrary to the Catholic Faith. Maybe you can clarify
this.
Sincerley
Michael DiSalvo”__________Well, it must be about four years since I wrote the comments, and remembered my father saying that it was on the bannedlist, and when I read the poem, it gave me a lot of hope that all of us, not alone those who are Catholics, will be founda place in the mansions on high, as they may be characterised.Actually, I left the Roman Catholic Church, and Joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, after meeting someof the members of the church, and being most impressed with the spirit they had about life and the meaning of things foundall through the scriptures. I just felt that life was not as narrow as some imagine, and it is broader in the next life too.I found that they taught me things I had felt all my life, where we came FROM, (not how we get here), What is the real purposeof life, where we are going after this life, and how do we prepare to get there. I recommend reading their literature, asking for the free DVD’S they have to explain faith in Christ, how the full Gospel was restored in fullfillment of prophecies, and how there is a live prophet of God on earth today, and twelve Apostles aswell. In answer to your question, the only reason I could imagine being relevant as to why the Catholic Church might want to banthe poem, would be if it contradicted their teachings, and if as could be easily interpreted, Rosetti is saying that there will be places in heaven for all who come, no matter what religion, to that inn which we cannot miss, which the night ordeath brings us to, then the church might feel that it’s exclusive claim to be the final repository of doctrine or authoritywould be challenged by this concept, and they, wishing to protect folk who might be influenced away from the exclusivity, and adopt a broader and less restrictive outlook towards divine authority or right to teach the doctrines of God.This is my view why it could be banned by the Church, though I think they need not be overly concerned about what, in the lightof current disbelief in God, could be regarded as a bit of a rarified point, perhapsHow are your studies going Michael?Do let me know how you are doing, and what is happening with yourself at this time - I am turning more and more to Photographyto explore the world of beauty and creation, and taking lovely portraits of people who want to improve their appearance, and itseems to be going wellBest RegardsAdrian McTiernan
Terry Williams · 30 December 2007
Dear Sir,
There are some that would say that nowhere in the bible is there a reference to the immortality of the soul but rather that the soul simply means life or breath (in man and beast). Also with regards to heaven going, what are your thoughts on the return of Jesus to this earth to set up God’s kingdom and rule over mankind. You may find Paul’s letter to the Corinthians interesting where he speaks of the resurrection of the dead (not souls going from the body at death to heaven), 1Corinthians chapter 15. Kindest Regards,
Terry Williams
family · 6 February 2008
I am doing an essay on this and it not as easy as it looks. I am an 11th grader in high school
it’s my favorite poem by her but i write anthing hopefuly I’ll get something