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Every War Has Two Losers: William Stafford on Peace and War
Throughout most of the 20th century, from World War I until his death in 1993, America poet and pacifist William Stafford remained convinced that wars don’t work. In his poetry and other writing, he showed that it is crucial to think independently when fanatics act and to speak for reconciliation when nations take sides. This inspiring volume collects the antiwar writings...more
Paperback, 216 pages
Published
October 20th 2003
by Milkweed Editions
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Non-fiction. Poetry, interviews, and essays on pacifism. William Stafford was a conscientious objector during WWII and spent four years in government labor camps putting out fires, building roads and trails, and training for post-war relief work. He was a poet, a professor, and a speaker for peace. This book includes a chapter from Down in My Heart, a memoir he wrote while in the CO camps; "The Mob Scene at McNeil" describes how he and a few of his CO buddies nearly got lynched by the fine citiz...more
I was searching for some volume of Wm Stafford poems, to get me back to a more raw form of poetry I had been writing during my undergrad years at U-of-M.
Back in the 1980s, in a Stephen Dunning co-lead anthropology class I was chaffing under his arbitrary rules, such as: use of english words of germanic etymology AND POINTS OFF ("deducted" would have red ink all over it) for french derivative words.
Next term I signed up for a poetry writing class (creative writing classes were my "out-breath");...more
Back in the 1980s, in a Stephen Dunning co-lead anthropology class I was chaffing under his arbitrary rules, such as: use of english words of germanic etymology AND POINTS OFF ("deducted" would have red ink all over it) for french derivative words.
Next term I signed up for a poetry writing class (creative writing classes were my "out-breath");...more
William Stafford's works are so voluminous that one could actually miss the depth of his committment to pacifism. So, this book provides the focus on his poetry and journal entries and his life in regard to pacifism. It is all very inspiring. Staffor was actually a conscientious objector during World War II--a very unpopular time to be a pacificst. In fact he and fellow c.o.s were very nearly lynched as enemies and spies when they visited a small town in Arkansas that was near where they were as...more
Thoughts, poems and fragments of writings from a committed pacifist. William Stafford was a conscientious objector in WWII (during a time and war when it wasn't fashionable, and often times was dangerous, to be a pacifist)--and placed in a work camp with other C.O. A peaceful man and beautiful poet, here is his sad poem written in 1944 (while still in the work camp):
These Mornings
Watch our smoke curdle up out of the chimney
into the canyon channel of air.
The wind shakes it free over the trees...more
These Mornings
Watch our smoke curdle up out of the chimney
into the canyon channel of air.
The wind shakes it free over the trees...more
I know I've read William Stafford's poetry before now, but this anthology of prose, poetry and interviews made me sit up and resolve to read everything by him I can find. The title is from a collection of short notes Stafford would jot down every morning; with his poems, they are the heart of his attraction for me. Here are two more:
"Success may not mean you did right"
"Today in society you need a tendency not to believe"
That latter one was written in 1987--still true, perhaps even more so.
"Success may not mean you did right"
"Today in society you need a tendency not to believe"
That latter one was written in 1987--still true, perhaps even more so.
I spent a long time with this book because I admire Stafford's thinking, his poetry, and his courage.
Much good stuff here.
In the end, though, I have to say it's unfair to isolate one aspect of such a long and productive life. It comes to seem like preaching and I have never liked to be preached at, even when I agree with the sermon.
Much good stuff here.
In the end, though, I have to say it's unfair to isolate one aspect of such a long and productive life. It comes to seem like preaching and I have never liked to be preached at, even when I agree with the sermon.
Nov 23, 2010
stephanie cassidy
added it
Coupled with Junger's WAR, it is necessary to consider a human need for brutal combat. Are we, have we ever been, evolved enough to not go to WAR? Why do we kill, maim, desecrate? Is it the only way out of our pupa of youth? Do we, as Stafford says, lack the imagination it takes to not go to war?
This man articulates the necessity of non-violence. Recently suggested to me at a training on non-violence, Stafford's writing is inspirational to anyone who's actively try to live a non-violent life.
William Stafford words need to be heard during this time of Global strife.
If only we fought our wars in poetry rather than in blood.
If only we fought our wars in poetry rather than in blood.
Lots of good thoughts in here, but the fragmented way the material is presented made it hard to stick with it.
Mar 29, 2013
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William Edgar Stafford was an American poet and pacifist, and the father of poet and essayist Kim Stafford. He and his writings are sometimes identified with the Pacific Northwest.
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“Keep a journal, and don't assume that your work has to accomplish anything worthy: artists and peace-workers are in it for the long haul, and not to be judged by immediate results.”
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10 people liked it
“If it should happen you wake up and Armageddon has come, lie still.”
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