Christina Rossetti (1830 – 1894) was an English poet who came from a family of literary accomplishment. Christina began writing as a child and published her first poem when she was eighteen years old. Rosetti was a person of deep faith, which is evidenced in her poetry and three books of devotions. Rosetti is best known for her poem, “In the Bleak Midwinter”, which is still a beloved Christmas carol today. (The United Methodist Hymnal #221)
What can I give him? Poor as I am;
If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
But what I can I give him; Give him my heart.
One of Rosetti’s most popular poems is simply entitled "Spring."
There is no time like Spring,
Like Spring that passes by;
There is no life like Spring-life born to die, –
Piercing the sod,
Clothing the uncouth clod,
Hatched in the nest,
Fledged on the windy bough,
Strong on the wing:
There is no time like Spring that passes by,
Now newly born, and now
Hastening to die.
Indeed, there is no time like spring.