self published (Archibald Rutledge), 1938. Paperback. Scarce. Signed by the author on title page. American poet, Archibald Rutledge (1883 - 1973) was the first poet laureate from South Carolina. He wrote over 50 books and numerous poems, mostly about his life and experiences in South Carolina. Written between world wars, this collection of sonnets addresses many universal themes including love, love lost, war, peace, dreams, astronomy, death, and loss. Many of the love poems are somber and were likely written for his late wife Florence, who bore him three children and passed in 1936. One such poem is below:

Forever
How often, on the wings that love had lent,
I sped to meet and hold her to my heart.
And all my constancy was my intent
Swiftly to join her .. "Could we never part,
'Twould be my heaven." Often said she so.
And oft would I delay, in hope I might
Meet her, or here or there, whence we could go
Together laughing in our old delight.

Nor hasting now and now delay no more
Brings me to her, or brings my Love to me.
Yet death has made our comradeship secure,
From every fear of parting set us free:
Lovers upon an everlasting shore,
By the still waters of eternity


Bound in the original brown suede flexible covers with black title to front cover. Stapled binding. Minor chipping to edges of covers and creasing to top corners. Clean and bright. 39 pages. POE/081717. Very Good.

Item #31355

Price: $300.00