Elan Mudrow
Smidgens
Ask Me by William Stafford
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.
I will listen to what you say.
You and I can turn and look
at the silent river and wait. We know
the current is there, hidden; and there
are comings and goings from miles away
that hold the stillness exactly before us.
What the river says, that is what I say.
26 Comments on “Ask Me by William Stafford”
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Elan Mudrow 
Thank you for introducing me to his work.
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Makes me think of the tide currents while sailing as they either are with you or against, can’t see them but they’re there.
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Such a beautiful poem and I will look up the poet now?
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Reblogged this on Mollie Hunt: Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries and more.
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Reblogged this on Still Another Photoblog.
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Elan, you’ve humbled me. I’m honored to have sparked a musical memory within you.
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a punk group from the 80s I like is called “Lost Cheerees” Not that you would like them, but your poem reminded me of them.
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A piece of heaven, this.
I appreciate you reading my poem today, Elan.
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You are not alone.
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My absolute favorite poem by one of my poetic heroes, William Stafford. The one that made me want to be a poet.
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This is a poem by William Stafford
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I love your imagery and flow of thoughts.
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I am curious about your title on this one. It is probably just coincidence, but I have a friend named William Stafford, and one of my favorite Will stories involves a river, and ice. Your prose is excellent, as always.
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Indeed, Kris. I feel like I am always driving down the same roads.
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Last year the libraries here in Oregon celebrated his work. Or was it the year before…… life moves so fast in the wheat fields.
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Well said. Beautifully written.
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Simply beautiful.
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Beautiful, truly. There is no greater place to ponder.
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There are hidden currents in all facets of life…:)
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Beautiful picture, beautiful poetry.
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Really intense, you think and feel deep…
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Wonderful. Thanks for this.
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Keep flowing my friend.
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“ask me what difference
their strongest love or hate has made”
Like the ice on the river… there, then gone… as the seasons turn.
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Very nice
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I have the biggest broadest smile possible on my face right now. And ’tis your words and ideas that do it … 🙂
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