A poem by one of my favorite writers

I love Emerson's writing because of his writing style and his ideals. He was pretty much the center of the Transcendental movement (http://tiny.cc/E8XaR ) In his lifetime, Ralph Waldo Emerson became the most widely known man of letters in America, establishing himself as a prolific poet, essayist, popular lecturer, and an advocate of social reforms who was nevertheless suspicious of reform and reformers. What a lot of people don't know about him is that he was an abolitionists also who worked to make sure that every man, woman, and child in America could enjoy freedom. Emerson's reputation was one of a well-respected family man of stringent moral values and also as a phenomenal and dedicated writer.

His role as an abolitionist came late in his life, probably because as a Unitarian Minister he was reluctant to attach himself to such a volatile issue, and also because he was wary of labels. "After long resisting attempts by reformers to gain his support for various social issues, Emerson became a fervent advocate in the 1850's for abolitionism, though his efforts were too late and too local to make him a national leader. "( Baym, et al, 320). However, Emerson had strong feelings regarding the rights of personal freedom in every man, and ultimately close abolitionist friends like Orestes Brownson, Theodore Parker, and William Channing who encouraged him to voice his opinion.

He spoke out about the Fugitive Slave Law, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the execution of John Brown. “Bronson Alcott reports that upon first hearing the news of Brown's revolt Emerson said little, and adds “it seemed to be a painful subject to him.” His first written comments on the event are contained in a letter to his son dated October 23, 1859: "We are all very well, in spite of the sad Harper's Ferry business, which interests us all who had Brown for our guest twice…He is a true hero, but lost his head there.” (Goodwin, 157). As Emerson wrote: "I think we must get rid of slavery or we must get rid of freedom.... If you put a chain around the neck of a slave, the other end fastens itself around your own."


My selected poem:

Rubbies
by: Ralph Waldo Emerson

They brought me rubies from the mine,
And held them to the sun;
I said, they are drops of frozen wine
From Eden's vats that run.

I looked again,--I thought them hearts
Of friends to friends unknown;
Tides that should warm each neighboring life
Are locked in sparkling stone.

But fire to thaw that ruddy snow,
To break enchanted ice, And give love's scarlet tides to flow,--
When shall that sun arise?