Evelyn Tooley Hunt

Evelyn Tooley Hunt (1904–1997), also known as Tao-Li, was a poet who was famous for writing the poem "Taught Me Purple"[1] which inspired the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker. She also was one of the first Americans to use the Haiku poem style.

She was born in Hamburg, New York and graduated from William Smith College. In 1961, she came out with her first poetry collection, Look Again, Adam that received the Sidney Lanier Memorial Award of 1963.[2]

"Taught Me Purple"

My mother taught me purple
Although she never wore it.
Wash-gray was her circle,
The tenement her orbit.

My mother taught me golden
And held me up to see it,
Above the broken molding,
Beyond the filthy street.

My mother reached for beauty
And for its lack she died,
Who knew so much of duty
She could not teach me pride.

References
  1. Dexter, Anne (1980-04-03). "'Taught Me Purple' Poet Says She Writes For Fun". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  2. "Slide Lecture Series Set For Monday". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. 1970-02-27. Retrieved 7 April 2010.


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