Virginia Lucas (311)
Virginia Lucas (1871-1929) was the daughter of Daniel Bedinger Lucas and Evelina Tucker Brooke. She was born at "Rion Hall", on the Lucas family estate, Jefferson Co., West Virginia. She received her education in schools in Charles Town, at the Mary Baldwin Seminary, Staunton, Virginia, and at the Art Students' League, New York. Virginia Lucas is the author of "The Captain," a story, "Wildflowers" (privately circulated) and and few occasional poems. A volume of her sonnets was published in 1827. [i] She was recognized as a talented West Virginia author by Ella Mae Turner, who prepared the following sketch:
"The work of Miss Lucas during the World War I in connection with the Red Cross and with the drives for various purposes was very efficient, and was the occasion of much favorable comment. She is also one of the most active club women of Jefferson County. She lives with her mother at her beautiful country home, Rion Hall, where she leads a very busy and happy life, for, as she herself says, she is "interested in pretty much everything." [ii]
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COLUMBINE
There, clinging for thy life -- thou little one? And yet no fear is in thy slender grace: Thou bloomest in the shelter of the rock, Dreading nor tempest shock, Nor garish light of sun, Secure, in thine uplifted resting place. The ferns droop near thee, cool and delicate, With luxury of fine, unfolding frond. The veined vines ascend thy cliff -- they cling, Like bird, with unfledged wing, Having the faith to wait, Till they shall mount up to the sky beyond. I touch thee ? Not for any price! So rare, Dropped like a jewel, on the Summer's hem, Scarlet and gold; of royal color thou, Fit for her queenly brow, Whose wondrous diadem Of grace has lifted her beyond compare. I would not stand between thee and the light, Who art so free and fairylike and fair, Too fine for mortal finger to deface -- Borne to thy lofty place On rocky height, Shaking thy gold Iocks on the reverent air. |
[i] Lucas Virginia, June, A Year Book of Sonnets, 1927, Shenandoah Publishing House, 96 p.
[ii] Turner, Ella May, 1923, Stories and Verse of West Virginia, The Mennonite Publishing House, Scottdale, Pa., 521 p.
[ii] Turner, Ella May, 1923, Stories and Verse of West Virginia, The Mennonite Publishing House, Scottdale, Pa., 521 p.