Derek Walcott (1930-2017) passed away peacefully in the early hours of this morning at his home in Cap Estate (Gros Islet). He had been in poor health for several years and died in his native St. Lucia.

Our deepest condolences to Sigrid, whose love and tenderness sustained him, and to his children. It is a devastating loss.

A press release issued by his daughters Elizabeth Walcott-Hackshaw and Anna Walcott-Hardy indicates that the funeral will be held in St Lucia with details to be announced shortly.

“I know when dark-haired evening put on her bright silk at sunset, and, folding the sea sidled under the sheet with her starry laugh, that there’d be no rest, there’d be no forgetting. Is like telling mourners round the graveside about resurrection, they want the dead back.”

Derek Walcott

We will update this post as information is released.