Prairie Rhythms: The Life and Poetry of May Williams Ward

Lana Wirt Myers's biography of May Williams Ward reestablishes the reputation of this leading poet who lived 1882 to 1975. She was celebrated by Harriet Monroe of Poetry magazine; she was a fellow at MacDowell Colony; and she won awards from the Poetry Society of America. Among the national publications that carried her work were Nation, New York Times, Life, New York Sun, Ladies Home Journal, and Good Housekeeping. Numerous Kansas newspapers and literary publications also featured some of the two thousand poems she wrote during her career. In addition, she herself was an editor of the national poetry magazine The Harp. Ward was born in Missouri, grew up in Osawatomie, and spent the majority of her life in Wellington. She graduated from the University of Kansas and briefly was principal of the Osawatomie high school. After marriage, however, she turned to poetry. Through correspondence and some travel, she participated in the national literary experience. Within her home state, she promoted poetry and literature by establishing the Poetry Society of Kansas and serving as the Kansas Authors Club president."Enhanced by Myers' biographical detail, wonderfully illustrated with photographs and Ward's own block prints, this book captures the essence of a Kansas poet who captured the essence of Kansas, and her own life and times in the state. An incredible addition to Kansas literary writing, this book restores Ward to her place among our finest poets." --Thomas Fox Averill, Writer-in-residence, Washburn University