Celebrating a legendary Oregon poet

Paulina Springs Books will host a gathering and poetry open mic in honor of beloved Oregon poet William Stafford on Thursday, January 23 at 6:30 p.m. This January would have been Stafford's 111th birthday, and the community is invited to gather in celebration of his life and legacy.

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Sisters will mark the 111th birthday of poet William Stafford.

William Stafford spent much of his life in Oregon and taught at Lewis and Clark College for over 30 years. His first major collection of poems "Traveling Through the Dark" was published when Stafford was 48 and won the National Book Award in 1963. He went on to publish more than 65 volumes of poetry and prose. Stafford served as Oregon Poet Laureate and as Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress, a position that is now known as Poet Laureate.

Folks are invited to share two or three poems and encouraged to share their favorite Stafford poems or share their own work. Sign-ups for the open mic will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Paulina Springs Books is located at 252 W. Hood Ave. For more about the event call 541.549.0866 or visit https://www.paulinaspringsbooks.com/.