I plucked a rose to deck her breast,
The brightest blood-red rose of June;
It could not tinge its place of rest,
But withered there and faded soon.
So Love and sweetness vainly strove
To win a tint-a throb to steal,
For Love is only touched by Love,
And that, she says, she cannot feel.
She took the winter's white snowflake,
Upon my glowing heart to lay;
The inward fire it could not slake,
But melted all in tears away.
So love lives on in spite of all,
And hope leaps up again, again,
Forgetful of their grievous fall,
Unconquer'd by her cold disdain.
I am busy working to bring Cecil Frances Alexander's "Rejected" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you later.
In the meantime, I invite you to explore the poem's themes, structure, and meaning. You can also check out the gallery for other musical arrangements or learn more about Cecil Frances Alexander's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "Rejected" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.