Poems of Purpose

audiobook

Poems of Purpose

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

EN·~1 hours·45 chapters

Chapters

45 total
1

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

1:34
2

A GOOD SPORT

2:30
3

A SON SPEAKS

3:40
4

THE YOUNGER BORN

3:11
5

HAPPINESS

2:43
6

SEEKING FOR HAPPINESS

1:05
7

THE ISLAND OF ENDLESS PLAY

1:58
8

THE RIVER OF SLEEP

1:13
9

THE THINGS THAT COUNT

1:16
10

LIMITLESS

0:22

Description

A lyrical tapestry of early‑twentieth‑century verse, this collection captures the restless spirit of a generation that chased excitement, love, and ambition with fierce optimism. Through vivid scenes of youthful daring, bustling markets, and intimate gatherings, the poems echo the exhilaration of “being a sport” while hinting at the inevitable cost of careless exuberance. The speaker’s voice shifts from celebratory chants to quiet confession, inviting listeners to consider how fleeting pleasures shape the arc of a life.

Spanning topics from the tender reverence of motherhood to the restless search for purpose, each piece offers a distinct emotional hue—joyful, contemplative, or wistful. The poet’s keen observations turn ordinary moments—an evening glass raised, a child’s first swim—into universal reflections on desire, regret, and hope. Listeners will find themselves drawn into a chorus of heartfelt meditations that feel both personal and timeless.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~1 hours (76K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

2004-10-01

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

1850–1919

Best known for the hugely popular poem “Solitude,” this American writer reached a wide audience with direct, emotional verse about love, loss, hope, and self-belief. Her work was often dismissed by critics but embraced by readers, helping make her one of the most widely read poets of her era.

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