Keynote
“In our time there has been no poet who revived human hearts and spirits more convincingly than William Stafford.”—Naomi Shihab Nye
Book Title
Ask Me
Subtitle
100 Essential Poems of William Stafford
Cover Image
- “[Ask Me] does what Stafford’s poetry itself does—it performs a small, creaturely act of reaching out.”—Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
Poem Excerpt
Some time when the river is ice ask me
mistakes I have made. Ask me whether
what I have done is my life. Others
have come in their slow way into
my thought, and some have tried to help
or to hurt: ask me what difference
their strongest love or hate has made.
—from “Ask Me”
mistakes I have made. Ask me whether
what I have done is my life. Others
have come in their slow way into
my thought, and some have tried to help
or to hurt: ask me what difference
their strongest love or hate has made.
—from “Ask Me”
Body
In celebration of the poet’s centennial, Ask Me collects one hundred of William Stafford’s essential poems. As a conscientious objector during World War II, while assigned to Civilian Public Service camps, Stafford began his daily writing practice, a lifelong early morning ritual of witness. His poetry reveals the consequences of violence, the daily necessity of moral decisions, and the bounty of art. Selected and with a note by Kim Stafford, Ask Me presents the best from a profound and original American voice.
“Stafford . . . left behind a body of work that represents some of the finest poetry written during the second half of the twentieth century.”—Library Journal
“William Stafford’s quiet presence in the landscape of American poetry in my lifetime has been a kind of continuing reassurance.”—W. S. Merwin
“Stafford . . . left behind a body of work that represents some of the finest poetry written during the second half of the twentieth century.”—Library Journal
“William Stafford’s quiet presence in the landscape of American poetry in my lifetime has been a kind of continuing reassurance.”—W. S. Merwin
List Price
$18.00
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About the Author
Credit: Kim Stafford
Credit: Bob Peterson
Praise
- "Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems is a wonderful one-volume introduction to Stafford's poetry."—Oregonian
- “Ask Me is a must-have collection. . . . The poems flow so seamlessly, with such a singular voice, that Stafford seems to be addressing readers directly.”—The Christian Science Monitor
- “This affordable selection of [Stafford’s] best work renews his presence in American literary life.”—The Kansas City Star
- “In this selection of one-hundred poems published to celebrate his centenary, Stafford emerges as an allegorist, a messenger.”—Booklist
