Maurine and Other Poems

"MAURINE AND OTHER POEMS" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox is a collection of poetry written in the late 19th century. The poems encompass a range of themes, including love, friendship, beauty, and the struggles of personal relationships as seen in the opening narrative about Maurine. The initial verses introduce Maurine La Pelle, a young woman who seems to navigate the complexities of affection and companionship, especially with her friend, Helen Trevor, and a potential romantic interest, Vivian Dangerfield. At the start of the narrative, Maurine is engaged in sewing and singing on a beautiful June morning when her friend Vivian visits. Their playful banter reveals their differing views on womanhood and friendship, highlighting themes of jealousy, love, and competition as they both navigate their relationships with Helen and each other. Maurine passionately defends the depth of female friendship, while Vivian expresses skepticism. As the story unfolds, Maurine's feelings become more complicated with the arrival of Helen and the interplay of their affections towards Vivian, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the intricacies of love and loyalty. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Ella Wheeler Wilcox was an American author and poet. Her works include the collection Poems of Passion and the poem "Solitude", which contains the lines "Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you weep alone." Her autobiography, The Worlds and I, was published in 1918, a year before her death.