Reading the name of Oregon's current Poet Laureate can make people do a double-take. Because his name is Stafford. Kim Stafford.
He is the ninth poet laureate of the state, and the second with the name Stafford; his father William also held the job in the 70s and 80s.
Kim Stafford has made his own way in the world of literature, writing and teaching poetry and prose. He visits Ashland for an event (April 18), and pays us a phone visit in advance.
There's a second public event on April 18th, at Bloomsbury Books in Ashland, at 7 PM.