Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt has announced that he will name an official Missouri Poet Laureate.
Blunt said, "Missouri has a rich cultural heritage of men and women in the arts, by naming a poet laureate, we will help continue this tradition for future generations of Missourians."
Jay Barnes of the governor's staff asked for your nominations by December first.
They are looking for a poet who is local, renowned, and wholly well-versed. The Missouri Poet Laureate will be responsible to help promote the arts in Missouri by making appearances at public libraries and schools across the state. The poet will also be called upon to compose an original poem in honor of Missouri and to perform the poem at an event commemorating the new position. Gov. Blunt will accept nominations through December 1, 2007. Nominees must be a current resident of the state. The governor encourages Missourians to think of poetry in its broadest sense when considering potential candidates for this new position.
The governor will work with the Missouri Center for the Book to select the Missouri Poet Laureate. He plans to announce the honoree in mid-December. Missourians interested in the position or who would like to nominate a candidate should visit the governor's Internet site at gov.missouri.gov/MPL.htm for more information. Submissions must include the poet's name, city of residence, contact information and writing samples.
6 comments:
This frightens me. Why? Because we already have an official state poem, and this is it.
Neither it nor the poem, "A Poet We Shall Appoint," on the governor's webpage, particularly inspire confidence in the outcome of the selection process.
I may be sick.
Cindy...
At the time this happened, I believe there was a rater quiet effort among the arts community to dampen the idea of a State Poet Laureate. I seem to recall an article in the K.C. Star to this effect.
I know of no one... who has read this piece of writing (using the term loosely) that did not find the poem an embarrassment to the state. I believe even the author's daughter rather disparagingly note her father penned it while watching "Hee-ha" on TV.
And If the Governor's aid felt the little rhyming announcement was cute, he may be the only one. I suspect he has many other talents, but penning poetry is not likely one of them.
Missouri could use a Poet Laureate in spite of these blunders. But yes, it has given rise to concern on my part as well.
Still, this state has a rich history of masterful craftsmen and women with words. It would be good to have and ambassador for the art that can reminds of that heritage as well as provide a rich contemporary poetic mind to speak to the present and future Missourians about our state.
The Governor apparently is eliciting the help of the Missouri Center for the Book in this process. A positive sign, I believe.
Let's hope for a better outcome then H.B. 370.
Are you going to nominate anyone?
Ceridwen:
I am considering doing so. I've one poet in mind and am trying to get a feel if there are any other names developing in the broader art community.
I am looking for suggestions. This is a hypothetical issue that has been discussed for a while among many local poets. Now that has become a reality. The fear of many past discussions seems more real. We are hopeful that one or two strong cannidates could surface that would be a credit to the art. Given the "official state poem" you can obviously understand our fear is not without foundation.
Yes, the official state poem is scary.
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