"An Empty-Handed Month"

An Empty-Handed Month

Once more has August come with feverish veins,

        And warm, wine eyes ‘neath languid lids of snow,

        To loiter where the cool syringas blow

And lift her burning lips to pray for rains,

Or drink the dews the lily-cup contains.

        With mellow voices now the slim brooks flow,

        And velvet tules take on a richer glow;

Wide, high and golden stretch the great hop-plains,

Between the amethyst hills. The breath of musk

        At midnight brings up dreams of the old Nile

        And Cleopatra’s eyes and arms and smile—

Which Nicotiana stars shine thro’ the dusk. . . . .

        But August! What can’st thou bring back to me

        Sweet as the thing that last year went with thee?

"An Empty-Handed Month" printed in an unidentified publication, clipping courtesy of the Ella Higginson Papers, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Heritage Resources, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA.

An Empty-Handed Month" is believed to be written about either the death of Higginson's sister Carrie Blake Morgan or their mother Mary A. Reeves.

Ivy Morgan was Ella Higginson's niece, the only daughter of Higginson's sister and fellow poet Carrie Blake Morgan. Ivy Morgan earned her pharmaceutical degree from the Oregon College of Pharmacy in 1892. When Ella Higginson died on December 27, 1940, Ivy Morgan inherited her estate. Unfortunately, Ivy Morgan would die of liver cancer just a couple months later on March 3, 1941 in San Jose, California. She is buried there in an unmarked grave. Ella Higginson's Mariella of Out-West is also dedicated to Ivy Morgan.

Ivy Morgan (1875-1941), date unknown. Picture courtesy of the Ella Higginson Papers, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Heritage Resources, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA.