5 Quotes & Sayings By Louise Bogan

Louise Bogan was one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, and her work has influenced many other women poets. Louise Bogan was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1899. After graduating from high school she worked briefly as a stenographer before taking a job at the University of Washington Library, where she began writing poetry. She moved to New York City in 1926 and taught for several years at various colleges before becoming a full-time writer Read more

Her first book of verse, "New Poems," was published in 1930. "The Woman at Point Zero," published in 1940, established her reputation as one of the leading poets of her time. Bogan's poems were often short and personal, dealing with themes such as death, love, marriage, motherhood, and aging.

1
In the country whereto I go I shall not see the face of my friend Nor her hair the color of sunburnt grasses; Together we shall not find The land on whose hills bends the new moon In air traversed of birds. What have I thought of love? I have said, "It is beauty and sorrow." I have thought that it would bring me lost delights, and splendor As a wind out of old time .But there is only the evening here, And the sound of willows Now and again dipping their long oval leaves in the water.-- from "Betrothed . Louise Bogan
2
Come, drunks and drug-takers; come perverts unnerved! Receive the laurel, given, though late, on merit; to whom and wherever deserved. Parochial punks, trimmers, nice people, joiners true-blue, Get the hell out of the way of the laurel. It is deathless And it isn't for you. Louise Bogan
3
The Initial Mystery that attends any journey is: how did the traveler reach his starting point in the first place? Louise Bogan
4
True revolutions ... restore more than they destroy. Louise Bogan