Southernwood
Nora Hopper Chesson
1871 to 1906
So I have harvested my womanhood
Into one tall green bush of southernwood;
And if the leaves are green about your feet.
And if my fragrance on a day should meet
And brace your weariness, why, not in vain
Shall I have husbanded from sun and rain
My spices if you chance to find them sweet.
I have grown up beneath the sheltering shade
Of roses: roses' poignant scents have made
My sharp spice sweeter than 'twas wont to be.
Therefore if any vagrant gather me
And wear me in his bosom, I will give
Him dreams of roses; he shall dream and live.
And wake to find the rose a verity.
Gather me, gather. I have dreams to sell.
The sea is not by any fluted shell
More faithfully remembered than I keep
My thought of roses, through beguiling sleep
And the bewildering day. I'll give to him
Who gathers me more sweetness than he'd dream
Without me — more than any lily could;
I that am flowerless, being southernwood.
Nora Hopper Chesson's Southernwood
We are busy working to bring Nora Hopper Chesson's "Southernwood" 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 "Southernwood" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.