William Stafford (1914-1993), one of the most prolific poets in post-war America, is known as a poet’s poet. Awarded both a National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize, Stafford, who taught creative writing at Oregon’s Lewis & Clark College for more than 30 years, has emerged as a poet respected by his peers, who in turn inspired and influenced successive generations of young poets who have found inspiration, direction, and purpose in his verse. Nye first came under the spell of Stafford’s poetry in an English class at Robert E. Lee High School in San Antonio, a tipping point epiphany that convinced her to pursue poetry. Nye came of age in a postmodern era where poetry became more and more elitist and, in turn, found its most eager audiences in classrooms. Stafford’s poetry, effortlessly colloquial and inviting, returned poetry to the world and encouraged readers to gently share with him his discovery of the stunning revelations of nature itself.

Resisting his post-Hiroshima generation’s easy embrace of chic apocalypticism, Stafford found limitless the radiant energy of the world and took to heart its urgent reassurance of hope and optimism. He advised up-and-coming poets to listen to the world around them and tune in to the secrets it wants to share.