Ella Wheeler Wilcox was born on a small farm in Wisconsin. Her family prided themselves on being “intellectuals” and strived to master the various distinctions of the English language. Ella was often found reading books, newspapers and really, anything she could get her eager hands on.
Her mother was a musician and her father, a farmer. Undoubtedly this created an artistic flare and appreciation of nature. She began writing poetry at 8 years old and at nearly 13, her first poem was published. Upon graduating high school, the locals had already labeled her as a poet.
Ella studied for a year at the University of Wisconsin, but no longer. A pull to concentrate on her writing drew her away from the university. She published her first book Drops of Water at just 22 years old. Aside from writing mesmerizing poetry, Ella also wrote several fictional books (which I plan on reading soon). A few of these are, A Woman of the World, Sweet Danger and A Double Life.
At 33, a poem titled, “The Way of the World” was published in The New York Sun. The poem was roused by a trip to the Governor’s inaugural ball. She was anxious to arrive and enjoy the festivities! On her way to the ball, a young women dressed in black was sitting across the aisle from her, crying. Ella moved beside her and tried her best console her. Finally, upon arriving to the ball though, Ella felt mournful and had no desire to attend the event. She saw a glance of her reflection in a mirror and for just a brief moment, observed it’s radiancy. A vision of the mourning widow flashed into her thoughts, and it was then that Ella wrote the opening lines of “Solitude”:
Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone.
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth
But has trouble enough of its own…
This poem was collected in the book Poems of Passion soon after, in 1883. This collection made approximately $2k that year alone.
At the age of 34, Ella married a businessman, named Robert. This left Ella to soak up all the literary attention and focus on her writing. Her husband passed away in 1916 and this pushed Ella into a woeful reflective and longing state. She passed away only a few brief years later of cancer. Ella was recognized for her passionate writing and traditional poetic style. She poured authentic emotion into her pieces, which is why her words leave a consoling print upon my heart with each emotive poem read.
Solitude
Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone;
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
Sing, and the hills will answer;
Sigh, it is lost on the air;
The echoes bound to a joyful sound,
But shrink from voicing care.
Rejoice, and men will seek you;
Grieve, and they turn and go;
They want full measure of all your pleasure,
But they do not need your woe.
Be glad, and your friends are many;
Be sad, and you lose them all,—
There are none to decline your nectared wine,
But alone you must drink life’s gall.
Feast, and your halls are crowded;
Fast, and the world goes by.
Succeed and give, and it helps you live,
But no man can help you die.
There is room in the halls of pleasure
For a large and lordly train,
But one by one we must all file on
Through the narrow aisles of pain.
References:
Ella Wheeler Wilcox – Wikipedia
Ella Wheeler Wilcox | Poetry Foundation
Header quote:
Ella Wheeler Wilcox Quotes (Author of Poems of Passion) (goodreads.com)