Mary Cornelia Hartshorne

Poetry

• Fallen Leaves

Biography

Mary Cornelia Hartshorne may not be a name found in every anthology, but her poetry resonates with those who have discovered it—a quiet voice capturing the beauty of the natural world and the profound depths of human emotion. A poet of Choctaw descent, Mary was born in approximately 1910. She grew up in a cultured and intellectually curious family. Her upbringing instilled in her both a love for literature and a sensitivity to the natural landscapes of her native state, which would come to feature prominently in her work.

artshorne’s poetry is marked by its gentle lyricism and vivid imagery, often drawing inspiration from the changing seasons, the cycles of nature, and the small, overlooked wonders of everyday life. Her poems convey a deep appreciation for the interplay between humanity and the environment, blending introspection with an almost painterly attention to detail. In a time when the Transcendentalist movement was still casting its influence, Hartshorne’s work carried echoes of this philosophy while maintaining her unique voice.

Though she published her poetry in magazines (including The American Indian) and other small collections, Hartshorne’s literary career never reached the widespread recognition of some of her contemporaries. This was due in part to her preference for a quieter, more private life, and in part to the era’s limitations on women’s access to larger literary platforms. Nevertheless, her work earned her the admiration of those in her literary circles and continues to captivate modern readers who come across her verse.

Mary Cornelia Hartshorne passed away in 1980, leaving behind a modest but heartfelt body of work that reflects her keen eye for detail and her profound emotional depth. Her poems remain a testament to the power of quiet observation and the enduring ability of art to celebrate the profound beauty in life’s fleeting moments. For those willing to seek her out, Hartshorne offers a lyrical world rich with nature’s music and the soul’s whisperings.