author
Alfred Castner King
1873–1941
Remembered as the "blind poet of Colorado," this American writer turned personal loss and mountain life into lyrical, hopeful verse. His poems are filled with western landscapes, solitude, and a steady sense of resilience.
2 Audiobooks
Mountain Idylls, and Other Poems
by Alfred Castner King
The Passing of the Storm, and Other Poems
by Alfred Castner King
About the author
Born in Leslie, Michigan, in March 1873, Alfred Castner King became known for poetry shaped by the American West. He worked in Colorado mining country, and after a premature mine explosion in 1900 left him blind, he continued writing instead of giving up his literary ambitions.
King's work often draws on the scenery and spirit of Colorado, especially the San Juan Mountains. Mountain Idylls, and Other Poems and The Passing of the Storm, and Other Poems helped establish his reputation, and he was remembered as the "blind poet of Colorado."
Later accounts describe him as more than a poet: he also lectured, played the flute, and remained active in public life while supporting himself in Grand Junction. He died in 1941, leaving behind poetry that blends natural beauty, hardship, and endurance.