Can you not see me careless? Can you not feel me weak,
Dear hands upon my heartstrings, dear lips upon my cheek?
Out of a world of wandering men is this the man you seek?
These eyes that look through yours, my dear, have looked into the pit,
Will look again and yet again and linger over it:
For there are lights that shine at nights not all in heaven lit,
If I am Jack o' Lanthorn, sweet, a homeless thing am I,
I cannot warm you but must see yon cold until you die;
Will you not choose a homely hearth to sit and warm you by?
You choose the wildfire none the less, you'll follow where I go?
Ah! steadfast heart and sweet heart, made strong for me to know
Although I go I will return, although I change and grow,
Or change and lessen, on your soul my wayward soul I stay,
Your steady light my wandering light shall draw and feed and sway;
And I will love you, sweet, as long as Jack o'Lanthorn may.
I am busy working to bring Nora Hopper Chesson's "Jack O'Lanthorn" to life through some unique musical arrangements and will have a full analysis of the poem here for you later.
In the meantime, I invite you to explore the poem's themes, structure, and meaning. You can also check out the gallery for other musical arrangements or learn more about Nora Hopper Chesson's life and contributions to literature.
Check back soon to experience how "Jack O'Lanthorn" transforms when verse meets melody—a unique journey that makes poetry accessible, engaging, and profoundly moving in new ways.