FINDING
ANN YEARSLEY

And Embracing Myself

In the midst of my midlife crisis, I came across an incredible woman who left a mark on this world by finding her own voice in spite of her circumstances.

She was a milkmaid, a wife, dedicated daughter, and a mother of 5 children. She was also a woman living in the 18th century. And yet she did not let any of those roles define or limit herself. 

Some say it was her love of books that made her an impressive poet, but I feel it was more than that: it was her desire to speak her heart fearlessly and the rawness and grace with which she held her pain. Perhaps that is how she was able to reconcile all the different pieces that made her into who she was.

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It is because of her passion that I, in reading her poetry two hundred years later, find myself in wanting of mine.

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And so, I set off to find the woman behind the words...longing to inch a little closer to my own heart.

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Image Credits:

Ann Yearsley by Joseph Grozer, after Sarah Shiells

mezzotint, published 1787

NPG D4452