The Widow

Nora Hopper Chesson

1871 to 1906

Poem Image

We are working on musical arrangements of The Widow by Nora Hopper Chesson and they will be published on a date yet to be decided.

Out of the wind and out of the rain, 
Owen, come to nay heart again; 
Close though your grave-clothes wrap you round. 
Come from your chamber underground. 
Over your grave I lean and cry 
"Waken, beloved, and come. 'Tis I! 
The one free day for the dead is here. 
Wake for me, call to me, come to me, Dear." 

Near your head though the rose-root grows 
Out in the free air lifts the rose. 
Breathing sweetness that's like a pain — 
Owen, come to me once again. 
Only one rose has borne for you 
Fervent sunlight and frosty dew; 
My sorrow has blossomed in leaves of red 
When the other roses are shrunk and dead. 

Deep is your grave, and dark and warm? 
Come to me, love, through the night of storm, 
I'm here in the dark, I'm here in the rain, 
Owen, come to me once again. 
The widow's curch from my yellow hair 
I've put aside, and my head is bare. 
I have set a flower in my breast-knots white, 
A flower with a thorn like all delight. 

There is no light in our quiet room 
Save the fire that mingles a gleam with a gloom, 
A posy of furze by the bed I've set — 
That you may remember and I forget- 
That you may remember the golden day 
When we kissed 'mid the gorse in the heart of May, 
That I may forget in your arms, my Dear, 
The empty grave and the day drawing near. 

My doors stand open towards the night, 
The red fire calls you with leaping light:
Your old place waits of your coming fain: 
Owen, come to your wife again. 
Or if you are weary, and warm you lie, 
Let your door stand open to let me by 
And close in your arms, for our great love's sake, 
Let me lie and slumber and never wake. 

Nora Hopper Chesson's The Widow

We are busy working to bring Nora Hopper Chesson's "The Widow" 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 "The Widow" 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.