There are so many things admirable people do not understand. — William Stafford Admirable Copy Share Image
It is as if the ordinary language we use every day has a hidden set of signals, a kind of secret code. — William Stafford Code Copy Share Image
There is no such thing as writer's block for writers whose standards are low enough. — William Stafford Block Copy Share Image
You don't need many words if you already know what you're talking about. — William Stafford About Copy Share Image
“We think it is calm here, or that our storm is the right size.” — William Stafford Calm Copy Share Image
'Be alive,' the land says, 'listen - this is your time, your world, your pleasure.' — William Stafford Alive Copy Share Image
When the snake decided to go straight, he didn't get anywhere. — William Stafford Decided Copy Share Image
When a goat likes a book, the whole book is gone, and the meaning has to go find an author again. — William Stafford Book Copy Share Image
It's love,' they say. You touch the right one and a whole half of the universe wakes up, a new half. — William Stafford Half Copy Share Image
“Readers should not be loaded with more information and guidance than a lively mind needs--puzzlement can be accepted, but insulting clarity is… — William Stafford Books Copy Share Image
“This dream the world is having about itself includes a trace on the plains of the Oregon trail, a groove in the… — William Stafford Dream Copy Share Image
I heard a bird congratulating itself all day for being a jay. Nobody cared. But it was glad all over again, and… — William Stafford Bird Copy Share Image
A student comes to me with a piece of writing, holds it out, says, 'Is this good?' A whole sequence of emergencies… — William Stafford Asks Copy Share Image
My question is "when did other people give up the idea of being a poet?" You know, when we are kids we… — William Stafford Giving Copy Share Image
I am not learning definitions as established in even the latest dictionaries. I am not a dictionary-maker. I am a person a… — William Stafford Definitions Copy Share Image
All still when summer is over stand shocks in the field, nothing left to whisper, not even good-bye, to the wind. After… — William Stafford Bye Copy Share Image
The more you let yourself be distracted from where you are going, the more you are the person that you are. It's… — William Stafford Distracted Copy Share Image
I keep following this sort of hidden river of my life, you know, whatever the topic or impulse which comes, I follow… — William Stafford Crescendo Copy Share Image
The things you do not have to say make you rich. Saying things you do not have to say weakens your talk.… — William Stafford Hearing Copy Share Image
A student brings something to discuss, saying, "I don't know whether this is really good, or whether I should throw it in… — William Stafford Areas Copy Share Image
“ Why I Am Happy Now has come, an easy time. I let it roll. There is a lake somewhere so blue… — William Stafford Happiness Copy Share Image
The things you do not have to say make you rich. Saying the things you do not have to say weakens your… — William Stafford Hearing Copy Share Image
I have a feeling that art is something you do for yourself, and that any time you turn your decisions over to… — William Stafford Accepting Copy Share Image
The Way It Is There’s a thread you follow. It goes among things that change. But it doesn’t change. People wonder about… — William Stafford Hurt Copy Share Image
Writing itself is one of the great, free human activities. There is scope for individuality, and elation, and discovery. In writing, for… — William Stafford Activity Copy Share Image
“A Ritual to Read to Each Other If you don’t know the kind of person I am and I don’t know the… — William Stafford Darkness Copy Share Image
“All events and experiences are local, somewhere. And all human enhancements of events and experiences -- all the arts -- are regional… — William Stafford Art Copy Share Image
“Which of the horses we passed yesterday whinnied all night in my dreams? I want that one.” — William Stafford Dreams Copy Share Image
A writer is someone who has found a process that will bring about new things. — William Stafford Found Copy Share Image
The ocean and I have many pebbles To find and wash off and roll into shape. — William Stafford Ocean Copy Share Image
“There may be losses too great to understand That rove after you and--faint and terrible-- rip unknown through your hand.” — William Stafford Death Copy Share Image
You can lie at a banquet but you have to be honest in the kitchen. — William Stafford Banquet Copy Share Image
An owl sound wandered along the road with me. I didn't hear it--I breathed it into my ears. — William Stafford Ears Copy Share Image
Others may be able to accept standards from another, but an artist is a person who decides. — William Stafford Able Copy Share Image
People wander about what you are pursuing. You have to explain about the thread. — William Stafford Journey Copy Share Image
