W.H. Auden

Wystan Hugh Auden was born September 21, 1907 in York, England. After dedicating himself to the art of poetry at the age of 15, Auden was quickly recognized as something of a prodigy. At 20, while still an undergraduate at England's prestigious Oxford University, he co-edited the collection "Oxford Poetry," and became an outstanding talent in a small troop of young writers — a group that included such noted talents as Cecil Day Lewis, Christopher Isherwood, Louis MacNeice, and Stephen Spender. At 23, he had already published his first book of poetry, titled "Poems." Auden has more than 20 books of poetry, criticism, and dramatic works that have been published. Considered by many to rank among the greatest poets, W. H. Auden died just a few hours after his last public reading in Vienna, Austria, September 28, 1973.

The More Loving One

How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.

—W.H. Auden