Poems of Optimism

audiobook

Poems of Optimism

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

EN·~1 hours·1 chapter

Chapters

1 total
1

Transcribed from the 1919 Gay and Hancock edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org

1:17:46

Description

A vivid tapestry of early‑twentieth‑century verse, this collection captures the restless spirit of a world on the brink of change. From stanzas that honor the stoic resolve of soldiers on foreign fields to tender odes celebrating women’s quiet bravery at looms and knitting needles, the poems weave together war’s harsh reality with moments of unexpected kindness. The poet’s voice moves from solemn reverence for fallen comrades to hopeful calls for unity, offering listeners both a snapshot of the era’s anxieties and a reminder of enduring human compassion.

The language is direct yet lyrical, making the material feel immediate even a century later. Whether it’s a rumbling march toward the battlefield, a reflective meditation on neutrality, or a gentle tribute to everyday labor, each piece invites the ear to linger on the rhythm of a time when ordinary people faced extraordinary demands. The result is a resonant, uplifting listening experience that honors history while speaking to the timeless desire for hope and connection.

Collections

Browse all

Details

Language

en

Duration

~1 hours (74K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

2005-02-01

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

Subjects

About the author

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

1850–1919

Best known for the much-quoted lines of "Solitude," she was a hugely popular American poet whose direct, emotional verse reached a wide audience in newspapers and books. Her work often mixed romance, optimism, and everyday feeling in a style meant to be read by ordinary people, not just literary insiders.

View all books

You may also like

Hello, Boys!

Hello, Boys!

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Poems of Sentiment

Poems of Sentiment

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Poems of Power

Poems of Power

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Three Women

Three Women

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Poems of Experience

Poems of Experience

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Maurine and Other Poems

Maurine and Other Poems

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Custer, and Other Poems.

Custer, and Other Poems.

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox