Mary Elizabeth Wilson [M.E.W.] Sherwood (27 Oct 1826 – 12 Sep 1903 | Keene NH – Manhattan NY) poet, essayist, memoirist, travel / etiquette writer, autobiographical author.

I greet thee, brave and coming year! My foot I have put in the stirrup – yet dogmas

serious, fine for contemplation, will all give out. Adieu, mon coeur! Darkness descends

& gives the spirit wings; the eye emboldened claims the world at night. Behold the

vision! There is a blue which paints the sea at morning, when skies are bright & breezes

fair. A cloud like a wing had come sailing that way, deepened & darkened the delicate

gloom, which vine leaves & orange trees made in the room. Alas, our dreams! They

come not true. Mother of all symbols, one great hour with thee is worth a decade of

our common life. No more! The soft returning spring shall greet thee walking near my

favorite tree. Thy lance is lowered now – leave us to bear the burden & thy loss. No

flower has painted on its mystic face legends as sweet & sad: thy starry petals interlace.

Sherwood, M. E. W. Poems. New York: Geo. M. Allen Company, 1892. https://archive.org/details/poemssherwood00sheriala