After Death: Christina Rossetti’s Timescales of Catastrophe Nathan K After Death: Christina Rossetti’s Timescales of Catastrophe Nathan K. Hensley INCS 2016 “Earthrise,” December 24, 1968. Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon, entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1968. That evening, the astronauts-Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders-held a live broadcast from lunar orbit, in which they showed pictures of the Earth and moon as seen from their spacecraft. Said Lovell, "The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth." They ended the broadcast with the crew taking turns reading from the book of Genesis.

Christina Rossetti, Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book Christina Rossetti, Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book. London: Macmillan, 1893: 10.

Christina Rossetti, Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book Christina Rossetti, Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book. Manuscript notebook, 1869-70. British Library.

Christina Rossetti, Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book Christina Rossetti, Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book. Manuscript notebook, 1869-70. British Library. (detail)

“Earthrise,” December 24, 1968. Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon, entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1968. That evening, the astronauts-Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders-held a live broadcast from lunar orbit, in which they showed pictures of the Earth and moon as seen from their spacecraft. Said Lovell, "The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth." They ended the broadcast with the crew taking turns reading from the book of Genesis. Christina Rossetti The Face of the Deep: A Devotional Commentary on the Apocalypse London: SPCK, 1892, 1893.

“Earthrise,” December 24, 1968. Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon, entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1968. That evening, the astronauts-Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders-held a live broadcast from lunar orbit, in which they showed pictures of the Earth and moon as seen from their spacecraft. Said Lovell, "The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth." They ended the broadcast with the crew taking turns reading from the book of Genesis. Time seems not short: If I so call to mind Its vast prerogative to loose or bind, And bear and strike amort All humankind.   Time seems not long: If I peer out and see Sphere within sphere, time in eternity, And hear the alternate song Cry endlessly. Time greatly short, O time so briefly long, Yea, time sole battle ground of right and wrong; Art thou a time for sport And for a song?   Christina Rossetti, “Time Seems Not Short.” Verses (1893). In section: “Diverse Worlds. Time and Eternity.”

The curtains were half drawn, the floor was swept And strewn with rushes, rosemary and may Lay thick upon the bed on which I lay, Where through the lattice ivy-shadows crept. He leaned above me, thinking that I slept And could not hear him; but I heard him say, ‘Poor child, poor child’: and as he turned away Came a deep silence, and I knew he wept. He did not touch the shroud, or raise the fold That hid my face, or take my hand in his, Or ruffle the smooth pillows for my head: He did not love me living; but once dead He pitied me; and very sweet it is To know he still is warm though I am cold. “Earthrise,” December 24, 1968. Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon, entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1968. That evening, the astronauts-Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders-held a live broadcast from lunar orbit, in which they showed pictures of the Earth and moon as seen from their spacecraft. Said Lovell, "The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth." They ended the broadcast with the crew taking turns reading from the book of Genesis. Christina Rossetti, “After Death.” Goblin Market and Other Poems (1862).

After Death: Christina Rossetti’s Timescales of Catastrophe Nathan K After Death: Christina Rossetti’s Timescales of Catastrophe Nathan K. Hensley INCS 2016