She is considered to be one of the leading post-war German poets. She received high praise for her short stories, many of which were inspired by events in her life, complemented by her personal reminiscences. These stories were collected in books such as Orte and She enjoyed travel greatly and her tales make use of diverse settings.
They are thoughtful in nature, rather than eventful, often dealing with particular stages in a woman"s life or a relationship.
Her main collection is Lange Schatten ("Long Shadows"). Her favorite story was 1961"s "Das dicke Kind".
Her post-war essay collection in Menschen und Dinge 1945 established her reputation in Germany. Her poems dealt with the war and the early post-war period, often expressing a yearning for a peaceful past, but also hope for the future.
After 1960 she became influenced by Pablo Neruda.
She briefly taught poetics at the University of Frankfurt. She died, aged 73, in Rome. The Marie Luise Kaschnitz Prize is named in her honor.
Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung. Bayerische Akademie der Schönen Künste]
She was a member of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists association.