WAYS WE TOUCH

Includes "Of History and Hope," the 1997 Presidential Inaugural PoemWhen Miller Williamsread his Inaugural Poem, "Of History and Hope," to a world-wideaudience in January, his proverbial "fifteen minutes of fame"lasted far less--somewhere between three and four minutes. That was longenough to make a big impact on many. Said poet Paul Zimmer, one of themillions in his viewing audience, "I came up out of my Lazy-Boy andcheered loudly!"Williams is anAmerican original whose poems have been praised for both the eleganceof their style and the simplicity of their language, for their wonderfulhumor and genuine passion. The works in his newest collection, The Ways We Touch, may be nostalgic or challenging, humorous or full ofmoral fortitude; always Williams speaks with the kind of insight thatrises from wisdom and experience.Praise for Williams'searlier work:"MillerWilliams is one of those writers whose books drag me snorkeling happilyalong. Happy as a pig among truffles, I hurry to the next treasure."-- William Stafford"Most contemporarypoets might well go to him for lessons in the art of speaking plainlyin disciplined lines alive with emotional energy." -- X. J. Kennedy"Betterthan almost anything else being published." -- Donald Justice