Robert Bly

Poet

Robert Bly is a celebrated American poet and activist known for his contributions to literature and the transformation of modern poetry. Born in Minnesota in 1926, Bly's earliest works centered on the landscapes of his home state, often exploring the natural beauty and small-town nature of the Midwest. He has since developed a unique style that mixes traditional meter and rhyme with language from other cultures and sometimes surrealistic imagery. Bly's work has been praised for acting as a bridge between generations, and he has become an essential figure for younger poets. In the early 1960s, Bly founded an influential literary journal, The Fifties, then in 1968 he helped to spearhead a group of poets known as The Outlaws who sought to create an American poetic tradition separately from England's. Bly's own works are characterized by a search for personal truth often combined with mythic elements. He notably explored issues such as masculinity and fatherhood in works such as The Teeth Mother Naked at Last and Iron John. Bly was also active in politics, as a vocal opponent of war and a supporter of social justice issues. In addition to poetry, Bly is also a translator and has translated works by a variety of foreign authors, including Rilke, Neruda, and Kabir. He has been honored for his work numerous times, including being inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and has published several notable books of poetry. Bly passed away on December 11, 2018, leaving behind an indelible legacy on American literature.