Today is the birthday of Maxwell Bodenheim (May 26, 1892 – February 6, 1954), poet and novelist who was known as the King of Greenwich Village Bohemians. His writing brought him international fame during the Jazz Age of the 1920s.During the first third of the 20th century, Maxwell Bodenheim enjoyed a reputation as both a poet ranking with Ezra Pound and a infamous Great Lover, complete with forlorn lovers' suicides.
In 1918, Maxwell Bodenheim's first book of poetry, Minna and Myself, was praised by Carl Sandburg, William Carlos Williams, and Conrad Aiken.
His 1925 novel, Replenishing Jessica was the subject of a famous obscenity trial that helped loosen censorship restrictions in the United States.
"For me, poetry is an impish attempt to paint the colour of the wind." - Maxwell Bodenheim
"Time is but a phantom dagger that motion lifts to slay itself." - Maxwell Bodenheim
"Words are soldiers of fortune, hired by different ideas." - Maxwell Bodenheim
"Reality is a formless lure,
And only when we know this
Do we dare to be unreal."
- Maxwell Bodenheim
His 1925 novel, Replenishing Jessica was the subject of a famous obscenity trial that helped loosen censorship restrictions in the United States.
"For me, poetry is an impish attempt to paint the colour of the wind." - Maxwell Bodenheim
"Time is but a phantom dagger that motion lifts to slay itself." - Maxwell Bodenheim
"Words are soldiers of fortune, hired by different ideas." - Maxwell Bodenheim
"Reality is a formless lure,
And only when we know this
Do we dare to be unreal."
- Maxwell Bodenheim
Bodenheim image source (1)
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