Luo Fu (poet)

Luo Fu (羅夫, also romanized as Lo Fu), born Yan Rong (嚴榮) on December 11, 1928, in Hengyang, Hunan, China, and died March 19, 2018, in San Marino, California, was a Taiwanese poet and essayist. He is considered one of the most significant modernist poets in the Chinese language of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Luo Fu's early poetry was influenced by traditional Chinese forms and themes. However, he later embraced modernist techniques, including surrealism and imagism, after moving to Taiwan in 1949 following the Chinese Civil War. He co-founded the Blue Stars Poetry Society (藍星詩社) in 1953, which played a crucial role in introducing and promoting modernism in Taiwanese poetry.

His works often explored themes of displacement, identity, war, and the human condition. He was known for his innovative use of language, vivid imagery, and philosophical depth. Some of his most well-known poems include "Death in a Stone Cell" and "The Coffin Stops at the Edge of the Desert."

Luo Fu immigrated to Canada in 1996 and later moved to the United States. He continued to write and publish poetry until his death. His works have been widely translated into English and other languages, earning him international recognition.

Awards and honors received by Luo Fu include:

• National Arts Award (Taiwan)
• Modern Poetry Award (Taiwan)
• Canada Council for the Arts Grant

His major collections include:

• Soul River (靈河)
• Invisible City (無言的辯證)
• Devil's Grass (魔歌)
• Driftwood (漂木)
• The Coffin Stops at the Edge of the Desert (棺木停在紅海上)