It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind, isn't it? Sometimes, a little perspective is all we need to remember what truly matters. I was recently reminded of this when I came across some fascinating material about a poet named Edward Doyle.
Imagine, if you will, a world without sight. For the last thirty-seven years of his life, Edward Doyle lived in such a world. Yet, as a piece from 1905 in the New York Evening Journal and San Francisco Examiner, penned by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, reveals, Doyle’s inner vision was anything but dim. Wilcox, deeply moved by his collection, "The Haunted Temple and Other Poems," presented him as the "blind poet of Harlem."
Wilcox’s appraisal is striking. She recounts an experiment: closing your eyes, trying to be cheerful, then imagining permanent darkness. It’s a stark contrast to Doyle’s own outlook. His words, as quoted by Wilcox, speak of a profound joy and gratitude for existence itself, even amidst "deep darkness." He found a "Kingdom of God" within, a testament to an unyielding spirit. His poem, which Wilcox shares, is a powerful declaration: "My life is in deep darkness; still, I cry, / With joy to my Creator, 'It is well!'"
It’s a humbling thought, especially when compared to those who, despite full faculties, can fall into pessimism. Wilcox points this out, noting a brilliant conversationalist who became a "melancholy pessimist" when he put pen to paper. Doyle’s work, she argues, is a rebuke to such moods and an inspiration to find inner contentment.
His poetry, described as having "carefully finished thoughts and beautifully polished lines," doesn't just speak of personal triumph. It touches on faith and collective struggle. One passage paints a picture of people fleeing from hardship, their "faith is strong / In their Jehovah." This cloud they see isn't despair, but prayer, a force that can bring about divine intervention, as lightning from "Jehovah's eyes."
President Schurman of Cornell University is quoted as saying that a true poet, even if blind, is a "Seer and Prophet." Doyle, like Homer, was blind, yet his mental vision was described as "clear, and broad, and deep." His life and work serve as a powerful reminder that our circumstances don't define our capacity for joy, resilience, or profound insight.
And on a completely different note, but still touching on community service, I also saw a mention of Representative Steve Doyle. He, along with Senator Brad Pfaff, was scheduled to present a Legislative Citation to Pischke Motors in West Salem back in April 2021. This was to commemorate a remarkable century of service to the greater La Crosse community. It’s heartening to see public recognition for businesses that have been pillars of their communities for so long. It speaks to a different kind of enduring legacy, one built on dedication and consistent contribution.
