Weekly Haiku: 02/12/2026 -- Lincoln's Birthday

A haiku by the Editor, in honor of President Lincoln's birthday today!

"Abe Lincoln’s first love –

Ann Rutledge, a guiding light –

Unsung heroine."

Digital image by the Editor: Ann Rutledge (1813-1835), Lincoln's first love, in New Salem, IL.

Image Description: Ann Rutledge was Abraham Lincoln's first love, when they were living in New Salem, Illinois. Her tragic death (at age 22) sent Lincoln into a downward spiral of melancholy. However, he later came to see Ann as the inspiration for his aspiration to study law and enter upon his melioristic career as a public servant.

"Ann Rutledge's Epitaph"

(Engraved on Her Tombstone in 1921, Petersburg, IL)

By Edward Lee Masters (1868-1950)

Out of me unworthy and unknown

The vibrations of deathless music:

"With malice toward none, with charity toward all."

Out of me the forgiveness of millions toward millions,

And the beneficent face of a nation

Shining with justice and truth.

I am Ann Rutledge who sleeps beneath these weeds,

Beloved in life of Abraham Lincoln,

Wedded to him, not through union,

But through separation.

Bloom forever, O Republic,

From the dust of my bosom!