Nancy Luce, a reclusive Victorian-era poet from West Tisbury, lived a life marked by solitude, chronic illness, and an extraordinary affection for her bantam hens. Once a misunderstood figure on Martha’s Vineyard, she eked out a modest living by selling self-penned poetry booklets to Methodist tourists visiting the island.

Today, her story has found a warm reception among locals. Her grave, adorned with chicken figurines, draws visitors, and the annual Nancy Luce Day has become a beloved tradition. Yet, amid this appreciation, her poetic works have largely escaped serious study.