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Bill Knott: Death

Going to sleep, I cross my hands on my chest.   

They will place my hands like this.   

It will look as though I am flying into myself.


Bill Knott

Bill Knott (1940-2014) was an American surrealist poet who taught at Emerson College for more than 25 years. His work has been admired by many poets including James Wright who called Knott “an unmistakable genius.” An extensive archive of Bill Knott’s poems and paintings can be found at this link.

Bill Knott, “Death” from Asheville Poetry Review 10, no. 1.  Copyright 2003 by Bill Knott. 


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11 comments on “Bill Knott: Death

  1. Laure-Anne
    January 16, 2026
    Laure-Anne's avatar

    Brilliant, quirky, solitary, kind, shy, huge-hearted Bill Knott…

    Like

  2. cgonick
    January 16, 2026
    cgonick's avatar

    How very aot. Now I will read more Bill Knott.

    Catherine Gonick • *Author of **Split Daughter of Eve (Sheila-Na-Gig Editions)* • *Available to order*: *https://sheilanagigblog.com/shop-sheila-na-gig-editions/catherine-gonick/ https://sheilanagigblog.com/shop-sheila-na-gig-editions/catherine-gonick/* cgonick@gmail.com mobile: 845-222-5512

    Liked by 1 person

  3. bethpeyton
    January 16, 2026
    bethpeyton's avatar

    The print is pretty astonishing, too. How I’m feeling this morning. Thanks again, Michael.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Vox Populi
      January 16, 2026
      Vox Populi's avatar

      Yes, I see myself in every one of his self portraits.

      Like

  4. Sean Sexton
    January 16, 2026
    Sean Sexton's avatar

    I read the whole Bill Knott “anthology,” hurriedly, & once begun, worried it might disappear forever before I finished. It’s as if walking into a wood, I’d discovered a rare plant never seen before that makes me fear I might forget how I got here, or might be gone when I return. Thankyou for bringing us Bill Knott! James was right!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Vox Populi
      January 16, 2026
      Vox Populi's avatar

      I’ve loved Bill Knott since I was 22. He always makes me feel as if I’ve missed something right in front of me until he pointed it out.

      >

      Like

  5. Lola Haskins
    January 16, 2026
    Lola Haskins's avatar

    Perfect.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. drmandy99
    January 16, 2026
    drmandy99's avatar

    So brief, so deep, so thought-provoking, so meaningful.

    Liked by 2 people

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This entry was posted on January 16, 2026 by in Health and Nutrition, Humor and Satire, Opinion Leaders, Poetry and tagged , , .

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