Michael Van Walleghen

Poet and Professor

Michael Van Walleghen was an American poet whose work is often described as surreal, humorous, and profoundly original. Born in 1943, Van Walleghen dedicated much of his life to poetry, publishing several books that earned him recognition in literary circles.

His poetry is characterized by the use of unexpected imagery and the juxtaposition of the ordinary with the extraordinary. He had a remarkable ability to find the absurd and the wondrous in the mundane, inviting the reader to see the world from a new perspective. His poems explore themes such as nature, art, memory, and the complexities of human existence, often with a touch of irony and melancholy.

Van Walleghen was also a professor of creative writing at various institutions, influencing generations of young poets. Among his published works are A Fleeting Season, The Glass Heron, and To Whom It May Concern. His contribution to American poetry is marked by an unmistakable voice that balances intelligence, sensitivity, and a unique humor.