The Passionate and Complex Love of Margaret Wise Brown and Michael Strange

In September 1947, Margaret Wise Brown, celebrated for her transformative children's book 'Goodnight Moon,' faced the impending loss of her great love, Michael Strange, a woman of striking presence and complexity. Born Blanche Oelrichs, Michael was a poet and playwright who defied societal norms with her masculine attire and bold persona. Their relationship, marked by intense passion and societal challenges, began seven years earlier on Vinalhaven Island, Maine, where Margaret spent much of her creative life.

Michael, who had adopted her male pseudonym to escape her family's disapproval of her erotic poetry, was a magnetic figure in the theater world. Despite their age difference and Michael's tumultuous personal life, the two women shared a profound connection, both being accidental radicals and poets at heart.

Their love was fraught with societal pressures, especially as same-sex relationships were stigmatized during that era. When Michael's husband discovered their relationship, he threatened to institutionalize her, prompting a dramatic escape and eventual separation. Despite the turmoil, Margaret and Michael became partners, living in adjacent apartments in New York.

Margaret's devotion was unwavering, even as Michael's health declined due to leukemia. Their relationship was a blend of deep affection and criticism, with Michael often belittling Margaret's children's literature as 'silly furry stories.' Yet, Margaret's work was celebrated by literary figures like Ursula Nordstrom, who recognized her as a pioneering author.

Margaret channeled her emotional turmoil into poetry, capturing the complexities of their love and the societal constraints they faced. As Michael's condition worsened, she distanced herself, believing their relationship was a sin that contributed to her illness. Margaret, devastated, contemplated suicide but held onto hope that Michael might change her mind.

Despite Michael's demands for separation, Margaret remained a constant presence, supporting her through her illness. Their bond, though strained, was unbreakable, with Margaret even buying out theater seats to ensure Michael's final performance was well-attended.

In Michael's final days, Margaret's love and poetry became her solace. She remained by Michael's side, despite being barred from visiting her in the hospital. When Michael passed, Margaret was left unacknowledged in the public narrative of Michael's life, a testament to the societal invisibility of their love.

Margaret's legacy, however, endures through her poetry and children's books, which continue to captivate readers with their poetic resonance. Her relationship with Michael, though tumultuous, was a profound source of inspiration, fueling her creative spirit and leaving an indelible mark on her work.