Who said “I try to forget what happiness was, and when that don't work, I study the stars.”?

Verified

Derek Walcott. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"The Schooner Flight" (1980), "After the Storm"

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "The Schooner Flight" (1980), "After the Storm".

APA

Walcott, D. (n.d.). I try to forget what happiness was, and when that don't work, I study the stars. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7443-i-try-to-forget-what-happiness-was-and/

MLA

Walcott, Derek. “I try to forget what happiness was, and when that don't work, I study the stars.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7443-i-try-to-forget-what-happiness-was-and/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Walcott, Derek. “I try to forget what happiness was, and when that don't work, I study the stars.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7443-i-try-to-forget-what-happiness-was-and/.