A dedication to Mike (WalkerMan) who introduced me to this poet and to whom I am very grateful for his kindness and support.

Stanza 1 - Ella was born in 1850 in Wisconsin, the youngest of four children. She read avidly from a young age, surrounded by a wealth of literature such as Shakespeare and the classics.

Stanza 2 & 3 - She developed deep sensitivity and empathy, not just for her fellow human beings but also for animals (Voice of the Voiceless which expresses her contempt for the sin of cruelty). She also wrote the much lauded "Solitude." This was inspired from an experience she had on the way to a celebration. A woman dressed in black sitting on the train was weeping and Ella tried to comfort her. By the time she arrived at the event, she was so depressed she could barely attend the festivities.

Stanza 4 & 5 - When her husband died in 1916 after 30 years of marriage, she was overcome with grief which got increasingly worse as the weeks passed. The couple had previously agreed that whoever died first would send messages back to the other partner. Those messages never came, thus filling Ella with doubt about her normally strong Christian faith. A new era of spiritual thought had been emerging, and she was drawn into theosophy including mystical beliefs and reincarnation. Ella had also lost her only son when he was just days old. She was taught that when you throw a rock into a pool the waters will swirl and cloud, denying a clear vision. With deep sorrow, it's important to steady the force of the emotion so that calm and contemplation can follow.

Stanza 6 & 7 - Her conviction in such poems as "Whatever is - is best" and "The winds of fate" that everything has its purpose in the "great eternal plan."

Stanza 8 & 9 - Her love of nature runs through her poetry and "Thanksgiving," for example, is a wonderful rejoicing of God's gifts at harvest time, urging us not to allow worry to "own our lives" and deny us enjoyment of the beauty around us.

Stanza 10 & 11 - In such poems as "Singers" she writes with love and wisdom that the merriest songs, which are the sweetest and most grateful, are often written on the gloomiest, saddest days. This is not always apparent to the reader that she is actually smiling through tears, a theme also elaborated upon in "Worth While."

Ella died in 1919 of breast cancer. She was a remarkably talented and popular poet who spoke from the heart, inspiring and encouraging in her mission of helping the reader through the darkest of times to a more joyful enlightenment:

"Remember that after a night of gloom,
The rays of the sun are the brightest."

You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.