By Santa Teresa De Avila by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

No. Longfellow translated it from the original Spanish text by Saint Teresa of Ávila, a mystic from the 16th century. The title "By Santa Teresa de Ávila" indicates that he is sharing her words in English rather than his own creation.

"Sufficeth" is an old-fashioned way to say "is enough" or "is sufficient" when referring to the third person. In simpler terms, the line conveys that God alone is all you need.

The poem consists of nine brief lines, each with only a few syllables. While there isn't a strict rhyme scheme, the lines flow rhythmically, giving them an incantatory feel—reminiscent of a chant. Teresa crafted it this way on purpose, making it easy to memorize and recite.

Here "wanting" refers to lacking, not desiring. The line indicates that whoever has God lacks nothing. This older use of the word can still be seen in phrases like "found wanting."

It is clearly religious — God is the poem's complete answer. However, many non-religious readers appreciate its central message about impermanence and the comforting influence of something greater than oneself, whatever that may mean to them personally.

Teresa wrote the original as a personal bookmark or devotional note — something meant to be carried and recited, not read as an extended meditation. The short lines allow each idea to stand alone, like distinct steps. Longfellow maintains that concise, aphoristic quality in his translation.

The central themes include faith, hope, and the fear that faith is supposed to eliminate. There's also a significant focus on time — the notion that earthly matters fade away while the divine remains constant.

Longfellow often translated European poetry and was captivated by spiritual and meditative themes. His works, such as Evangeline and his translation of the Divine Comedy, reflect a similar fascination with faith, resilience, and the comforts found in a greater spiritual framework.