The speaker has two sisters, though only one is officially a sister. The other lives nearby — just a hedge away. She’s a chosen sister, a friend so close she feels like family. This second sister came into her life wearing hand-me-downs and singing a different tune, more like a bumblebee’s hum than any conventional melody. They grew up together: holding hands made the long childhood walks shorter. Now, years later, the speaker still senses that soft, persistent hum, and sees violets in her sister’s eyes even though time has passed. The final lines are almost like a vow: she spilled the dew of morning but chose to keep this one steady star out of the vast night — her friend Sue, forever. The mood is intimate, a blend of nostalgia and quiet devotion. There’s a sense of a bond that doesn’t fade, a love that’s both everyday and eternal.
One Sister have I in our house — Summary
One Sister have I in our house, And one, a hedge away. There's only one recorded, But both belong to me.
One came the road that I came -- And wore my last year's gown -- The other, as a bird her nest, Builded our hearts among.
She did not sing as we did -- It was a different tune -- Herself to her a music As Bumble bee of June.
Today is far from Childhood -- But up and down the hills I held her hand the tighter -- Which shortened all the miles --
And still her hum The years among, Deceives the Butterfly; Still in her Eye The Violets lie Mouldered this many May.
I spilt the dew -- But took the morn -- I chose this single star From out the wide night's numbers -- Sue - forevermore!