The World's Desire
Nora Hopper Chesson
1871 to 1906
Track 1
Reconstruct the poem by dragging each line into its correct position. Your goal is to reassemble the original poem as accurately as possible. As you move the lines, you'll see whether your arrangement is correct, helping you explore the poem's flow and meaning. You can also print out the jumbled poem to cut up and reassemble in the classroom. Either way, take your time, enjoy the process, and discover how the poet's words come together to create something truly beautiful.
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We will name her Helen, that she shall be
Before the bee and the blossom kiss;
With doubtful pleasure and trembling fears;
The child was born — with a caul, they say.
There was born to the world last night
A warning, a wonder 'twixt sea and sea.
Hunger and thirsting beyond relief.
Though the waves o'erwhelm her, she shall not drown.
She shall not burn in the burning town:
When the mother died and the child was bom.
Her hands were full of delight and desire.
The caul shall serve her in place of a charm,
Before the night took thought of the day
Her mouth was small as a rosebud is
Her voice was honey, her tongue a sting.
Her hair was a cloud and her eyes were fire.
An ill star shone on the bitter morn
The world's disaster, the world's desire.
The child was born to bring all men grief.
She shall be christened with water of tears.
A woman-child for the world's delight.
Her cheek was a rose full blossoming.
That water and fire shall not do her harm.
Except she burn of her own white fire.