Muriel Strode (b 1875) was an American poet about whom I have been able to only find bits and pieces about her life. She was born in Illinois, and from what I gather, she was a self-made woman both in business and as a writer. She is the originator of a quote often misattributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“I will not follow where the path may lead, but I will go where there is no path, and I will leave a trail.” A great sentiment to start the year.

Songs of Life-Freedom

I play with elementals as with a toy.

Lightning is but a circlet of light about my throat.

Suns run in strands of gold about my white forehead.

Earths are a flower-cliff of wild nasturtium.

Stars are but fireflies— I catch them in my playful hands.