A former nun, Mary Norbert Korte has been publishing her poetry since the mid-1960s. She lives in Northern California, where she has dedicated herself to the environment, poetry, and teaching.
A chapter, “Redwood Mama Activist,” in the book Women of the Beat Generation, by Brenda Knight, is devoted to her.
Six of Korte’s poems, spanning her career are printed there: “Eddie Mae The Cook Dreamed Sister Mary Ran Off With Allen Ginsberg;” excerpt from “Throwing Firecrackers Out The Window While The Ex-Husband Drives By;” “Turning 40 in Willits;” “Remembering Bill Everson, Poet;” “There’s No Such Thing As An Ex-Catholic;” and “The Room Within.”
Selected Books & Broadsides
Beginning Is the Life Is the Word
N.p., n.d. Broadside, folded.
Beginning of Lines: Response to Albion Moonlight
Berkeley, CA: Oyez, 1968.
Breviary in Time of War
San Francisco, CA: Cranium Press, 1970.
Christmas Greeting, 1970.
[Berkeley, CA]: Mary Norbert Korte / Oyez, 1970.
Fourth Annual Protest Poem Against War
San Francisco: Cranium Press, 1971.
Broadside.
Generation of Love
New York: Bruce Publishing Co., 1969
(poems by Mary Norbert Korte, photos by Jess Villalva. Edited by Clayton C. Barbeau.)
Hymn To The Gentle Sun
[Berkeley, CA]: Oyez, 1967.
(the poet’s first book.)
Lines Bending
Berkeley, CA: Oyez, 1978.
Mammals of Delight
Berkeley, CA: Oyez, 1978.
Midnight Bridge
Berkeley: Oyez, 1970.
Reading from the I Ching
N.p.: Clifford Burke, 1970.
Broadside.
this room within myself wants light…
Berkeley: Oyez (1970).
Broadside.
Throwing Firecrackers Out the Window While the Ex-Husband Drives By
Willits: Rainy Day Women Press, 1991.
Two Poems
San Francisco: White Rabbit/Oyez, 1969.
(The poems are “My Day Has Been Beautiful — How Was Yours?” and “The Going.”
Mary Norbert Korte Resources
- In Those Days (poem)
- John Muir Welcomes Judy Bari Into Heaven (poem)
- The Lorax & L-P (poem – after the original by Dr. Seuss)
- Mary Norbert Korte biography at the excellent “Women of the Beat” site