A Connaught Lament

Nora Hopper Chesson

1871 to 1906

Poem Image
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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Where fields are empty and scythes at rest.
The heart in my breast is, that beats so low.
I am the poppy and you the sickle;
As ice on the water my heart is broken.
My heart is broken within my breast.
My heart in my bosom is black as a sloe!
(O dear black head that I must not follow)
But O were I dead, were I dust, the fall
O lips forgetful and kindness fickle,
I will arise and go hence to the west,
I heed not cuckoo, nor wren, nor swallow:
My heart is a grave that is stripped and hollow,
And dig me a grave where the hill-winds call;
The swallow goes south with you: I go west
Like a flying leaf in the sky's blue hollow
Because of the words your lips have spoken,
Of my own love's footstep would break my rest!