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Laureate on My Mind 2/21/2015 11:08:31 AM
The death of Miller Williams is on my mind. I adopted Arkansas and moved to the Ozark foothills 21 years ago. Life here is everything I hoped it would be and much more.
Miller Williams came to my attention when commissioned by President Clinton to write a poem for his 1997 inauguration.
I fell in love with Williams' thought processes and his clarity of expression. He was raised in Hoxie, Arkansas, a small town not far from my home. Upon his death, I wrote a letter to the editor of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette (the state paper) and am humbled they chose to publish it.
Dear Editor: Laureate on My Mind
He left a celebrated treasure of plainsong composed of simple words. He stayed as long as he could. Writing, mentoring, teaching.
One thousand years hence, if all goes well, someone yearning to be a poet will find an artifact－a printed book. And turning its pages, will happen upon Miller Williams’ explorations of life as he saw it.
I relish the richness you have added to the world, young lad-from-Hoxie-turned-poet-laureate. My heart pulses with gratitude for your musical phrases, your lilting lines, your clear, understandable voice. And upon your death, though we are not related, I took your advice and took notes.
When your father dies
take notes
somewhere inside.
－Miller Williams, “Let Me Tell You”
