Inspired by the outcome of the recent presidential election, I decided to devote this blog post to an ersatz poet instead of a real one. Julia A. Moore, the " Sweet Singer of Michigan" was a poetaster. Stinking with sentiment, and fouled by forced rhyme, her work was unintentionally amusing and thereby gained a cult following. " Literary," she explained, " is a work very difficult to do."
Her most poetized topics were the joys of sobriety, the sudden deaths of small children, and fallen soldiers. Mark Twain is said to have counted her among his favorite poets because she made him laugh. Twain alluded to her work in Following the Equator, and is thought to have based the character of Emmeline Grangerford in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on her as well.
In addition to being maudlin, she was also prolific. Two of her poems are below. If you haven't had enough, you can read more by clicking here.
THE TEMPERANCE ARMY
- Julia A. Moore
. . . Here's to the next four years. Let's laugh to keep from crying.
