Meditations & Poems for Writers

Why would a lifelong writer who has been Oregon’s hardworking poet laureate and published so many books of poetry and prose decide to create his own self-published series of pocket-sized poetry treasures that cost only five dollars each? In November of 2016, Stafford realized he wanted to put a book together in time to give away at the Women’s March in January 2017. He contacted nine editors he knew, but none responded, so he decided to make the tiny book on his own. When he held the first volume in his hand—The Flavor of Unity—he appreciated how easy it felt to give such a small book away—almost like a “festive whim.” He ended up sending 1,000 copies to college students around the nation to distribute at the Women’s March. And he kept making magical little books.

One of my favorites of these appealingly slim volumes is Meditations & Poems for Writers. It’s perfect for writers, teachers of writing, and students. In this hugely helpful treasure, Stafford describes the daily writing practice of his father, poet William Stafford; offers his own remedies for writer’s block; muses on “the powers & pleasures of thought”; and offers a piece about “faith in fragments.” These are some of the most eloquent, encouraging mini-essays one could ever read. They’re all you need.

He manages to sneak in nugget-sized poems, one dedicated to the late, very great Brian Doyle, and to tell amazing stories too. But this is Stafford’s way. He has always been the most generous practitioner of the writing craft, one of the best teachers on the planet, and now offers magical volumes that feel as significant and precious as the Little Leather Library with green embossed covers I inherited from my German grandfather. Stafford’s later editions have titles such as Circumference (Poems of Consolation & Blessing), Earth Verse, In Praise of Disarray (Poems of Love & Affection), We Begin a Better Nation, Dr. Fauci’s Smile (Pandemic Poems), Little Book for Common Good, The Right to Be Forgotten, and An Encyclopedia for Growing Older. But Meditations & Poems for Writers is one you could keep beside you on your writing desk for decades and keep flipping open whenever you need a big boost—or a pal.