William Stafford.

We just read several William Stafford poems for lit and I loved his writing! Here are two of my favorites.

You Reading This, Be Ready

Starting here, what do you want to remember?
How sunlight creeps along a shining floor?
What scent of old wood hovers, what softened
sound from outside fills the air?

 

Will you ever bring a better gift for the world
than the breathing respect that you carry
wherever you go right now? Are you waiting
for time to show you some better thoughts?

 

When you turn around, starting here, lift this
new glimpse that you found; carry into evening
all that you want from this day. This interval you spent
reading or hearing this, keep it for life -

 

What can anyone give you greater than now,
starting here, right in this room, when you turn around?

 

~ William Stafford ~

 

(The Way It Is)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Way It Is

 

There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change.  But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.

 

~ William Stafford ~

 

(The Way It Is)