The Cross of Snow - A poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - The Cross of Snow

In the long, sleepless watches of the night, 
A gentle face -- the face of one long dead -- 
Looks at me from the wall, where round its head 
The night-lamp casts a halo of pale light. 
Here in this room she died; and soul more white 
Never through martyrdom of fire was led 
To its repose; nor can in books be read 
The legend of a life more benedight. 
There is a mountain in the distant West 
That, sun-defying, in its deep ravines 
Displays a cross of snow upon its side. 
Such is the cross I wear upon my breast 
These eighteen years, through all the changingscenes 


And seasons, changeless since the day she died.

Added: on January 8th, 2008 at 10:26 AM | Viewed: 11391 times | Comments and analysis of The Cross of Snow by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Comments (8)

The Cross of Snow - Comments and Information
Poet: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Art) Poem: The Cross of Snow Volume: Birds Of Passage Comment 8 of 8, added on January 8th, 2009 at 2:11 PM. So many people overanalyze this poem, but the meaning of the cross and the mountain is actually quite simple. The poem is indeed about Longfellow's wife. The cross of snow in the mountain is "sun-defying," Longfellow says, meaning it doesn't melt. Longfellow also mentions that he wears a similar "cross" on his breast, where is heart is, symbolizing love. The cross means that Longfellow's love is unchanging, despite losing her and despite the way the world is changing. Colin from United States Comment 7 of 8, added on November 7th, 2008 at 5:29 PM. i think this is very well written as well, yet i also think that most people take what Longfellow is trying to say...the meaning in his writings are so much deeper than most let themselves realize.and his vocabulary has more meaning as well. His writing is inspirational to me in so many ways! Tay Comment 6 of 8, added on January 8th, 2008 at 10:26 AM. Longfellow lost his wife in a terrible tragedy 18 years prior to writing this poem. She died after her dress caught on fire as she was sealing envelopes with locks of their children's hair in them with sealing wax and a candle. This occurred in the library of Craigie House in Cambridge, MA. Longfellow managed to extinguish the fire, but his wife, Fanny, died in agony days later. He was badly burnt in the fire on his face and hands and was never able to shave again, hence his flowing beard. He never recovered from this horrible grief. VR29 from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, The Cross of Snow, has received 8 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Poem: The Cross of Snow Volume: Birds Of Passage Last read: Dec 2 2009, 1:04PM Viewed 11391 times. Added on January 8th, 2008 at 10:26 AM.

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