If I Had Been a Rose
Nora Hopper Chesson
1871 to 1906
If I had been a rose
And not a woman, would your feet have stayed
A moment in their passing, and in shade
That meeting boughs of lime and lilac made
Would you have stood, and softly touched my flower,
Making me redder, and breathed in my dower
Of sweetness? Would you gather me, I wonder.
Or pass without a word, and leave me under
My shading leaves to watch my bloom grow dry?
Ah, would you be unkind, and pass me by
If I had been a rose?
If I had been a rose,
You had been kinder than to leave me there.
Spilling my sweetness out, half in despair,
And half because remembering is so rare.
'Tis easy withering roses, even in June!
Too rough a wind-touch, or too bright a noon.
The red leaves drop and show the gold heart under
Past dream or daring, past desire or wonder.
Ah, yet be gentle though no rose am I!
My tears are in my heart — my heart were dry,
If I had been a rose.
Nora Hopper Chesson's If I Had Been a Rose
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- 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.
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