Miller Williams
Miller Williams
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Miller Williams was born on February 8, 1930, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He is often referred to by his nickname "Mike" among friends and family.
Birth and Death Dates
February 8, 1930 - January 1, 2015
Nationality and Profession(s)
Williams was an American poet, writer, and educator. He held multiple positions throughout his career, including being the Poet Laureate of Arkansas from 1987 to 1989.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a small town in Arkansas during the Great Depression had a profound impact on Williams' life and writing. His childhood experiences shaped his perception of social justice, community, and individual struggles. He attended college at the University of Arkansas, where he began developing his passion for poetry and literature.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout his career, Miller Williams achieved numerous accolades in the literary world:
- Poetry Awards: In 1978, he won a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, which enabled him to focus on writing. Later, in 1987, he was awarded the Arkansas Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.
- Educational Roles: Williams taught creative writing and literature at various universities, including the University of Arkansas, where he started his teaching career.
- Public Service: His appointment as Poet Laureate of Arkansas marked a significant milestone in promoting poetry and literature throughout the state.
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works by Miller Williams include:
- Poetry Collections: He published several collections of poems during his lifetime, showcasing his unique voice and perspective on social issues.
- Readings and Performances: As Poet Laureate, he traveled extensively across Arkansas, giving readings and performances to share poetry with diverse audiences.
Impact and Legacy
Miller Williams' impact extends beyond his literary contributions:
- Promoting Social Justice: His writing often addressed issues of poverty, inequality, and human rights, making him a powerful voice for social change.
- Community Engagement: As Poet Laureate, he worked tirelessly to bring poetry to all parts of Arkansas, creating a lasting legacy in the state's cultural landscape.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Miller Williams is widely remembered and quoted due to his:
- Authentic Voice: His genuine passion for social justice and human rights resonated deeply with readers.
- Impact on Education: As a dedicated educator, he inspired generations of students to explore their creative potential and develop a love for literature.
- Legacy in Arkansas: His contributions as Poet Laureate have left an enduring mark on the state's literary scene.
Miller Williams' dedication to poetry, education, and social justice has cemented his place as one of America's most respected voices in literature.
Quotes by Miller Williams
Have compassion for everyone you meet, even if they don’t want it. What appears bad manners, an ill temper or cynicism is always a sign of things no ears have heard, no eyes have seen. You do not know what wars are going on down there where the spirit meets the bone.
Have compassion for everyone you meet, even if they don't want it. What appears bad manners, an ill temper or cynicism is always a sign of things no ears have heard, no eyes have seen. You do not know what wars are going on down there where the spirit meets the bone.
Too many poets write poems which are only difficult on the surface, difficult because the dramatic situation is easily misunderstood. It's not difficult to write poems that are misunderstood. A drunk, a three-year-old-they are easily misunderstood. What is difficult is being clear and mysterious at the same time. The dramatic situation needs to be as clear in a poem as it is in a piece of good journalism. The why is part of the mystery, but the who, what, where, and when should all be understood.
You do not know what wars are going on down there where the spirit meets the bone.
I manage a toast to the Christmas tree and one to the sweet absurdity in the miracle of the verb to be. Lucky you, lucky me.
Ritual is important to us as human beings. It ties us to our traditions and our histories.
I don't like poetry that doesn't give me a sense of ritual, but I don't like poetry that doesn't sound like people talking to each other. I try to do both at once.
I put myself in a spiritual and physical place where I've learned from experience the synapses are likely to fire and the juices are likely to flow, and simply begin to write.
I like to think that the best poetry is or involves a contest between ordinary conversation and ritual.
A thing may fail as a poem because it tries to do what a poem cannot do: it tries to become a treatise on cosmic truth... We can best be exact about the cosmic things - God and truth, beauty, eternity and love - by not talking directly about them.