Quiet routine; powerful results

 

“Youdon't need many words if you already know what you're talking about.”– William Stafford 
Stafford, who was born in Kansas onthis date in 1914, had a quiet daily ritual of writing, much of it focused onthe ordinary, but powerfully presented through his writing.  

A close friend and collaborator ofMinnesota poet Robert Bly, Stafford’s writing career started late in life (hewas 46 when he first published).  Hiswriting, though, started privately much earlier and for over 50 years he kept adaily journal until his death in 1993. Ultimately his journals totaled over 20,000 pages, some published in the2003 book Every War Has Two Losers.  Stafford’s complete journal collection ismaintained by Lewis & Clark College.
A frequent contributor to magazinesand journals, Stafford composed some 22,000 poems with over 3,000 appearing inhis 57 published books of poetry.  Stafford said he would love to beable to constantly look at life through a child’s eyes. 
 
 “Kids dancebefore they learn there is anything that isn't music.”