Imagine a poet so devoted to the natural world that he transformed 18 acres of Hawaiian wasteland into a thriving palm sanctuary while simultaneously crafting some of America’s most profound verse. William Stanley Merwin wasn’t just a wordsmith—he was a guardian of both language and landscape, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire readers and environmentalists alike.
A Literary Giant Among Us
W.S. Merwin’s journey through the literary world reads like an epic poem itself. Born in New York City on this day September 30, 1927, this remarkable man would go on to claim two Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry—first in 1971 for The Carrier of Ladders and again in 2009 for The Shadow of Sirius. But perhaps even more impressive was his appointment as the 17th United States Poet Laureate in 2010, cementing his place among America’s most celebrated voices.
What made Merwin truly extraordinary wasn’t just his accolades—it was his ability to evolve. His early work drew from mythology and legend, but by the 1960s, he had developed a distinctive style that would define a generation of anti-war poetry. His collection The Lice became a powerful statement against the Vietnam War, featuring his signature unpunctuated verses that flowed like urgent whispers.
The Evolution of a Unique Voice
Merwin’s poetry style was nothing short of revolutionary. He abandoned traditional punctuation, creating verses that seemed to breathe on their own. This technique wasn’t just artistic rebellion—it reflected his Buddhist philosophy and deep ecological consciousness that emerged in the 1980s and 1990s.
The Rain in the Trees showcased this mature voice, where environmental themes merged seamlessly with spiritual reflection. His words didn’t just describe nature; they became part of it, flowing like water through a forest canopy.
From Greenwich Village to Hawaiian Paradise
The transformation from a young poet in Greenwich Village to an environmental activist in Maui tells the story of a man who lived his convictions. In 1976, Merwin moved to Hawaii to study with Zen Buddhist master Robert Aitken, beginning a new chapter that would define his later years.
On Maui’s northeast coast, Merwin and his wife Paula didn’t just build a home—they created The Merwin Conservancy, transforming their property into one of the world’s most biodiverse palm collections. This wasn’t mere gardening; it was poetry in action, each planted tree a living metaphor for renewal and hope.
A Legacy Written in Words and Trees
Even as his eyesight failed in his final years, Merwin continued creating. His last collection, Garden Time, was dictated to his wife—a testament to the enduring power of artistic vision. These poems about aging and presence felt, as one critic noted, like “part of some timeless continuum.”
When Merwin passed away peacefully in 2019 at age 91, he left behind more than fifty books and a restored rainforest. His life proved that poetry isn’t just about beautiful words—it’s about beautiful actions that echo through generations.
Explore The Merwin Conservancy →
W.S. Merwin showed us that the highest calling of art is to heal the world, one word and one tree at a time.
The Animals
All these years behind windows
With blind crosses sweeping the tables
And myself tracking over empty ground
Animals I never saw
I with no voice
Remembering names to invent for them
Will any come back will one
Saying yes
Saying look carefully yes
We will meet again
-W. S. Merwin, from The Second Four Books of Poems
Curated by Jennifer
