Magnolia Leaves

<p><I>Magnolia Leaves</I> (1897) is a collection of poems by Mary Weston Fordham. Published toward the end of her life Fordham's only collection appeared in print with an introduction by Booker T. Washington who saw in its author an undeniable gift which could prove [t]he Negro's right to be considered worthy of recognition in the field of poetic effort. Meditating on such themes as morality labor maternity liberty and faith Mary Weston Fordham displays not only a mastery of poetic form but a hard-earned wisdom and talent for observing life in all its forms. With hands all reddened and sore / With back and shoulders low bent / She stands all day and part of the night / Till her strength is well-nigh spent. In The Washerwoman Fordham depicts a woman whose life on earth revolves around labor for whom life after death means the promise of hard-earned rest to be found on the other shore. While many if not all of Fordham's poems revolve around Christian imagery and themes some including Chicago Exposition Ode Stars and Stripes and Alaska reflect on the promise of freedom and liberty in the aftermath of the Civil War. Her poems strive to depict the diversity of nineteenth century America such as in Atlanta Exposition Ode which celebrates the end of war and the coming together of former slaves Union soldiers and Confederate forces alike. Song to Erin and Highland Mary depict the immigrant experience while The Cherokee mourns the murder and displacement of America's indigenous peoples. In sixty-six poems Mary Weston Fordham distils the experience of a lifetime and the wisdom of one who has experienced loss and found the strength to move forward. This edition of Mary Weston Fordham's <I>Magnolia Leaves</I> is a classic of African American literature reimagined for modern readers.</p> <p>Since our inception in 2020 <b>Mint Editions</b> has kept sustainability and innovation at the forefront of our mission. Each and every Mint Edition title gets a fresh professionally typeset manuscript and a dazzling new cover all while maintaining the integrity of the original book.</p> <p>With thousands of titles in our collection we aim to spotlight diverse public domain works to help them find modern audiences. Mint Editions celebrates a breadth of literary works curated from both canonical and overlooked classics from writers around the globe.</p>