Olav H. Hauge lived a simple life in the rural town in which he was born, always claiming to be a working man--a gardener--who merely wrote poems in his spare time, most often during winter months. This self-portrait, however, belies the considerable time and energy he invested in literary pursuits. Hauge created prize-winning poetry by combining his experience of nature with his love of reading and interest in the creative process. Although he was self-taught and lived in a remote corner of Norway, he was well versed in national and local literary traditions, as well as European, American, and classical Asian poetry. Equally influenced by his reading and his environment, Hauge deftly used everyday imagery to express a variety of themes, including harrowing explorations of the feelings and experiences that fuel the creation of art. His rustic background enhanced his reputation as a poet, making him a legendary...