“Thomas Fowler, American poet (1921-1965). Born in Sevierville, Tennessee, Fowler ran away from the family farm at age 14 and rode the rails around the US for years. After serving in the Merchant Marine during World War II, Fowler settled in Greenwich Village and began to write. Taken up by local poets such as Frank O’Hara and Barbara Guest, Fowler published two collections, ‘Confusion and a Little Luggage’ and ‘Beatrice and the Acceptor.’ He died at age 44 after struggling with rheumatoid arthritis and other ailments for several years. Below is a poem from his last book: