Stafford Time Again

Next week I will guest speak for two days in McMinnville High's AP Lit class on William Stafford. I am looking forward to introducing the youth of America to an Oregon and American treasure. It is inexcusable that he is unknown to so many people. My task is to change that. I will give these kids many of his most powerful poems, but here is another of my favorites, and one whose theme reaches into keeping a Blip journal:

Keeping a Journal
by William Stafford

At night it was easy for me with my little candle
to sit late recording what happened that day. Sometimes
rain breathing in from the dark would begin softly
across the roof and then drum wildly for attention.
The candle flame would hunger after each wafting
of air. My pen inscribed thin shadows that leaned
forward and hurried their lines along the wall.

More important than what was recorded, these evenings
deepened my life; they framed every event
or thought and placed it with care by the others.
As time went on, that scribbled wall- even if
it stayed blank - became where everything
recognized itself and passed into meaning.