The Merwin Conservancy ‘ohana wishes to extend our gratitude and appreciation to our inspiration, our friend, and our founder
W.S. Merwin, who is 88 years old today.
He lives each day with clear intention, mindfulness, and a beautiful vision for life – not just his life, but all of life. We are continuously learning from him and that is a treasured gift.
Everyday, and on his birthday especially, we celebrate his awe-inspiring contributions to the art of poetry, the world of ecology, and the island of Maui that he has called home for 40 years.
Today, many wonderful organizations and individuals have joined us in celebrating his day, including:
- The Writers Almanac with Garrison Keillor, who have shared a tribute to W.S. Merwin in today’s newsletter and podcast
- The Paris Review featured a poem of Merwin’s, “Aunt Alma” for his birthday
- The Columbia Granger’s World of Poetry featured his poem “Identity” on their homepage
- And many have shared their birthday wishes on social media, including Narrative Magazine, Library of America, and many fans. Below are a few key posts to Twitter:
Happy Birthday, W.S. Merwin. “If you’re waiting for lightning to strike a stump, you’re going to sit there…” pic.twitter.com/8w7puj7jdo
— Win Bassett (@winbassett) September 30, 2015
W.S. Merwin’s birthday should be a national holiday, so we can all read The Lice. — Erica Wright (@eawright) September 30, 2015
“On the last day of the world / I would want to plant a tree.” Happy birthday, W. S. Merwin, who can grow a forest from an apocalypse — Amelia Urry (@ameliainahurry) September 30, 2015
Now all my teachers are dead except silence. | Poet W.S. Merwin, who is 88 today. Happy Birthday! Please wish him too! @wsmerwinlegacy — Sean Fagan Books (@SeanFaganBooks) September 30, 2015
W.S.Merwin said:I think there’s a kind of desperate hope built into poetry..to save the world @WritersAlmanac #ModPo http://t.co/p62uxguUeP
— Alonna Shaw (@AlonnaShaw) September 30, 2015
It’s the birthday of contemporary poet W. S. Merwin, who wrote, ““What you remember saves you.”
— Ken A. Bugajski (@drkensf) September 30, 2015
“Poetry is a way of looking at the world for the first time.” W. S. Merwin, born on this day in 1927 — Ray E. Boomhower (@RayBoomhower) September 30, 2015
The sky said I am watching to see what you can make out of nothing — W.S. Merwin, born on this day in 1927 pic.twitter.com/JqZ7dDhtoc
— John McMurtrie (@McMurtrieSF) September 30, 2015
Would you like to send a birthday gift to W.S. Merwin?
Consider donating to The Merwin Conservancy, the organization that he founded, which will preserve and protect his legacy for years to come.