Comments on: Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850 – 1919) – A Tribute by Sean M Kelly

By: inspire

inspire — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:52:17 +0000

I didnt know of this lady either. She was one fantastic poet! Thanks for your input, much appreciated.

Best wishes
Sean

By: Roibeard McElroy

Roibeard McElroy — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:10:40 +0000

I have to confess I never knew the pen that dubbed those famous lines – shame on me – so thanks sean for bringing this very insighful, profound poetess to my attention. And thank you also Valerie for putting up her very fine poem on love!!

Roibeard aka Celtic poet

By: inspire

inspire — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:33:16 +0000

Hi Valerie

Yes I agree, her words/poems are absolutely brilliant and really relevant today! I actually often quoted her but didn’t know she was the source of the quotes. When I found a lot of her work last week I felt really drawn to write the post.

I really appreciate your comment and the poem you inserted “What Love Is” – more of her work for people to enjoy!

Very best wishes
Sean

By: Valerie

Valerie — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:22:34 +0000

Very nice post. Ella Wheeler Wilcox was very popular back in her day, but is rather obscure now, which is too bad, because she was a wonderful poet. Her love poems are among my favorites…

What Love Is:

Love is the centre and circumference;
The cause and aim of all things – ’tis the key
To joy and sorrow, and the recompense
For all the ills that have been, or may be.

Love is as bitter as the dregs of sin,
As sweet as clover-honey in its cell;
Love is the password whereby souls get in
To Heaven – the gate that leads, sometimes, to Hell.

Love is the crown that glorifies; the curse
That brands and burdens; it is life and death;
It is the great law of the universe;
And nothing can exist without its breath.

Love is the impulse which directs the world,
And all things know it and obey its power.
Man, in the maelstrom of his passions whirled;
The bee that takes the pollen to the flower;

The earth, uplifting her bare, pulsing breast
To fervent kisses of the amorous sun; -
Each but obeys creative Love’s behest,
Which everywhere instinctively is done.

Love is the only thing that pays for birth,
Or makes death welcome. Oh, dear God above,
This beautiful but sad, perplexing earth,
Pity the hearts that know – or know not – Love!

-Ella Wheeler Wilcox