Apples
Nora Hopper Chesson
1871 to 1906
"Burden of rosy apples here I bear;
Apples as sweet as sin, and half as fair:
Draw near, and eat, as Eve ate once, of old —
And gather wisdom ere you gather gold.
Ah, why delay? Look deep into my eyes —
Am I not beautiful? Am I not wise—
Though I too once walked free in Paradise?
Most fair I am, although my eyes are cold:
Draw near, and win the apples that I hold.
The apples half I give and half deny:
Lo, I am Lilith! will ye eat and die?"
"Am I a stranger that ye stand so far —?
My foes that were, my kinsmen now that are —
My foes that were, my lovers that shall be
By grace of kindly blood poured out for ye.
Am I a stranger? yet my fruit's as red
As hers, that tempts the quick to be the dead.
You welcomed her a barren while ago
And me with stoning, even as a foe
You turned away from paths your footsteps know.
Now she hath cast you out, and here ye see
Come back to seek your grace, my fruit and me.
Ye know me now a little, yet God wot,
Indeed I loved ye while ye knew me not.
Lo! here I stand to-day with fruit to give,
Azrael and his apples: eat and live!"
Nora Hopper Chesson's Apples
We are busy working to bring Nora Hopper Chesson's "Apples" to life through our 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 our complete interpretation, we invite you to explore other musical arrangements in our gallery or learn more about Nora Hopper Chesson's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "Apples" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.
Create a Cloze Exercise
Click the button below to print a cloze exercise of the poem critique. This exercise is designed for classroom use.