Red Clay
Nora Hopper Chesson
1871 to 1906
You shall not meet in kindness
Any more:
I strike your loves with blindness
And shut a stubborn door,
That will not open, Mauryeen, at your cry:
That will not open, Terence, till you die.
I have the bearing of my own heart's pain,
Dear pain that Terence gave:
But here I softly lay betwixt you twain
Clay from a grave.
So small a grave lies yonder,
Inishkea
Holds it; and sea-gulls wander
There from the open sea.
Cry out upon the sea-gulls from your door,
Mauryeen, they bode no good so far inshore.
The sea-gulls heard you, Terence; and the sea
Surely some day shall fling you back to me,
And then, maybe,
Mauryeen will not desire you, dear black head,
A drowned man, dead.
You shall not meet, my storeen,
At dawn nor dark —
Crossing the shadowy boreen
Where the red lark
Cries to his hid wife from the windy sky,
Deeming his love at least shall never die.
I cast between your hands that shall not meet
To serve nor yet to save,
I cast red clay between your wandering feet,
From my child's grave.
Nora Hopper Chesson's Red Clay
I am busy working to bring Nora Hopper Chesson's "Red Clay" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you soon.
At V2Melody, each arrangement is crafted with care through a thoughtful partnership of human artistry and technological innovation. This process involves:
- Deep analysis of the poem's rhythm, structure, and emotional essence
- Careful selection of musical styles that enhance the poem's unique voice
- Balancing traditional poetic expression with contemporary sound landscapes
- Multiple revisions to ensure the arrangement honors the poet's original vision
This creative journey takes time—each composition represents hours of dedicated work to create something that deepens our connection to Nora Hopper Chesson's words in meaningful ways.
While you wait for the complete interpretation, I invite you to explore other musical arrangements in my gallery or learn more about Nora Hopper Chesson's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "Red Clay" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.
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