Poems

By Cecilia Gibson

This little book contains a few literary gems from the pen of one of Wisconsin's most brilliant women. Many of them were originally published in The Evening Wisconsin during the last half of the 19th century, when that newspaper, more than any other in the state, paid particular attention to Wisconsin literature.
Most of the poems in this volume were written as a surcease from the varied and arduous duties of a pioneer clergyman's wife, her husband, the late Reverend George Gibson, having been rector of Episcopal churches in the diocese of Fond du Lac and diocese of Milwaukee, in the early days of the church in this state.

• Language: English
• Publisher: McMillan Memorial Library
• Release date: Jan 19, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310324482

Cecilia Gibson

Cecilia King Gibson was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin on November 19, 1846, the daughter of David and Sarah King. She married George Gibson (December 9, 1829 – January 5, 1908), a Civil War veteran and Episcopal clergyman. Their children include George (1869), Richard (1871) and Charlotte (1876). His ministry took him to many parishes, including stops in Fulton, Illinois; Green Lake, Wisconsin; and Des Moines, Iowa. By 1905, they were living in Grand Rapids, Wisconsin. After the death of her husband, Cecilia moved in with the daughter and son-in-law, Isaac Witter. Mr. Witter was president of the Bank of Grand Rapids and involved with the Consolidated Water & Power Company and other local businesses. She died in Wisconsin Rapids on November 4, 1926 and the couple is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Book preview

Poems

by

Cecilia K. Gibson

Published by McMillan Memorial Library and distributed by Smashwords in 2016.

Some minor punctuation and capitalization changes have been made to improve readability.

All rights reserved.

Dedication

To my beloved daughter Charlotte Gibson Witter whose loving solicitude, and tender ministrations during many years past, have added sweetness to joy, and comfort to sorrow, in my declining years, I tender this little volume of verses, with all a mother's love and benediction

Preface

This little book contains a few literary gems from the pen of one of Wisconsin's most brilliant women. Many of them were originally published in The Evening Wisconsin, during the last half of the last century, when that news-paper, more than any other in the state, paid particular attention to Wisconsin literature. Copies of all of Mrs. Gibson's writings may be found in the State Historical Society library, where they were filed following a request from the late Reuben G. Thwaites.

Most of the poems in this volume were written as a surcease from the varied and arduous duties of a pioneer clergyman's wife, her husband, the late Reverend George Gibson, having been rector of Episcopal churches in the diocese of Fond du Lac and diocese of Milwaukee, in the early days of the church in this state.

Those of us who know the author - and to know her is to love her - will appreciate very highly this collection of her writings.

J. L. Sturtevant

Dec. 1, 1920

Wausau, Wisconsin

Table of Contents

Where Did the Flowers Get Their Names?

Gloria in Excelsis

A Summer Night Scene

The Night-Blooming Cereus

October

The Two Voices

The Diamond Ring

The Golden Egg

Now and Then

Vanity Fair

The Two Judges

The Kaiser

Ahdawagam

Religious Poems

Tree of Life

It Was Needed

The Healing

Ephphatha

The Mount of Temptation

The Pearl

Rose Jar Mysteries

Tea-Cup Lore

The Artist’s Vision

About the Author

Where Did the Flowers Get Their Names?

The other day I stumbled upon a bevy of bright-eyed little girls making paper roses with which to adorn their May baskets. Not before