Mark Strand

Mark Strand (1934-2014) born on Canada's Prince Edward Island. He came to be known as one of America's premier poets of his generation. He served as poet laureate of the United States from 1990 to 1991 and as a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets from 1995 to 2000. Mark taught English and comparative literature at Columbia University in New York City. He published many volumes of poetry, some prose, translation and 3 children’s books. And won many awards for his work.

The good life

You stand at the window.

There is a glass cloud in the shape of a heart.

There are the wind’s sighs that are like caves in your speech.

You are the ghost in the tree outside.

The street is quiet.

The weather, like tomorrow, like your life,

is partially here, partially up in the air.

There is nothing that you can do.

The good life gives no warning.

It weathers the climates of despair

and appears, on foot, unrecognized, offering nothing,

and you are there.

— Mark Strand