In my quest to learn more about Ella W. Ricker and hopefully give this unknown poet some recognition, I discovered this poem of hers in The Daily Memphis Avalanche newspaper from Sunday, April 19, 1885.
The poem notes in the newspaper it was originally published in Outing: An Illustrated Monthly Magazine of Recreation. I love these sort of “hints” for other great sources to check out!
Arcadia
In the ear of the sweet white clover Low murmurs her lover, the bee; The sunbeam's myriad kisses Lie warm on the lips of the sea, And the glows at the touch, and sparkles In a quiver of ecstasy. To the rugged rocks of the headland The laughing billows creep With languid, caressing motions– A swift, coquettish leap– And then, like a frightened sea-bird, The waters backward sweep. Afar, on the distant landscape, The touch of the sea-fog lies, Blending in one soft shadow The waves and the arching skies, Hiding a land enchanted Whence mystical visions rise. The land of the lotus-eaters This happy island seems– Fanned by perpetual breezes, Brightened by fadeless beam– A place to lie forever In a rapture of blissful dreams