Karen Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABAB CDCD EFEF GHGH IJIJ IKIK LILI MNMN OPOP MQMQ IRIR| At her low quaint wheel she sits to spin | A |
| Deftly drawing the long light rolls | B |
| Of carded wool through her finders thin | A |
| By the fireside at the Isles of Shoals | B |
| - | |
| She is not pretty she is not young | C |
| Poor homesick Karen who sits and spins | D |
| Humming a song in her tongue | C |
| That falters and stops and again begins | D |
| - | |
| While her wheel flies fast with its drowsy hum | E |
| And she makes a picture of pensive grace | F |
| As thoughts of her well loved Norway come | E |
| And deepen the shadows across her face | F |
| - | |
| Her collar is white as the drifted snow | G |
| And she spun and wove her blue gown fine | H |
| With those busy hands See a flitting glow | G |
| Makes her pale cheek burn and her dark eyes shine | H |
| - | |
| Left you a lover in that far land | I |
| O Karen sad that you pine so long | J |
| Would I could unravel and understand | I |
| That sorrowful sweet Norwegian song | J |
| - | |
| When the spring wind blew the quot America wind quot | I |
| As your people call it that bears away | K |
| Their youths and maidens a home to find | I |
| In this distant country could you not stay | K |
| - | |
| And live in that dear Norway still | L |
| And let the emigrant crowd sail West | I |
| Without you Well you have had your will | L |
| Why would you fly from your sheltering nest | I |
| - | |
| O homesick Karen listen to me | M |
| You are not young and you are not fair | N |
| But Waldemar no one else can see | M |
| For he carries your image everywhere | N |
| - | |
| Is he too boyish a lover for you | O |
| With all his soul in his frank blue eyes | P |
| Feign you unconsciousness Is it true | O |
| You know not his heart in your calm hand lies | P |
| - | |
| Handsome and gentle and good is he | M |
| Loves you Karen better than life | Q |
| But do consider him can't you see | M |
| What a happy woman would be his wife | Q |
| - | |
| You won't be merry You can't be glad | I |
| Still must you mourn for that home afar | R |
| Well here is an end of a hope I had | I |
| And I am sorry for Waldemar | R |
Celia Thaxter
(1)
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