AN ODE TO WILLIAM STAFFORD
An Oregon Poet of Renown
(Written in 1996)




Inspiring my sleepless night,

There is a wonder,

What I've owed to

William Stafford

And other pied pipers?



Life conspires

To take away my desire

For cherishing

Even the rare moments

When living has been a smile.



And I threaten to expire

From the mostly pain

Which has led me along

This convoluted trail

Called poetry.



Yet, as Bill S. said,

So rightly, "(...)the role

for a writer or reader

is one of following,

not imposing."