What’s A Poet Laureate and Why Does it Matter?
What is a Poet Laureate and why is it relevant?
Read below to learn about the biggest voices in contemporary American poetry.
WHat is a Poet Laureate?
Becoming the Poet Laureate of the United States is one of the highest honors a poet can achieve. The Poet Laureate is selected annually by the Librarian of Congress, who will often consult with poetry and literature specialists, as well as previous poet laureates to determine the best candidate. A Poet Laureate can be reselected for several consecutive terms, as was the case with Joy Harjo, who was the first Poet Laureate from a First Nations community. Though the Poet Laureate has no official job description, they usually write poems for important occasions, help determine which poetry books are added to the Library of Congress, and peruse personal projects while in the role.
Why is the Poet Laureate Relevant?
Not many people know what a Poet Laureate is. If you’re a student of poetry, you’re likely aware that there is such a position, and you’re likely aware that it matters, but why is the position relevant, really? For one, it’s an indicator of the political atmosphere of modern poetics. The Poet Laureate is often relevant for the time and, sometimes, is long, long overdue (as in the case with Joy Harjo being the first Native American Poet Laureate, despite the First Nations peoples being here long before we colonized the US). The Poet Laureate generally keeps up to date and can guide the political landscape of education (in particular, higher education). They are also commonly present for important events such as the Presidential Inauguration and important dinners. Some Poet Laureates, such as Rita Dove (who, I had the privilege of studying under at UVA) prefer to be in the spotlight as a place of advocacy when they are in this position, but others such as Louise Glück use the opportunity to focus extensively on their writing.
“Being Poet Laureate made me realize I was capable of a larger voice. There is a more public utterance I can make as a poet. ”
As social media continues to sweep the world and as the pandemic continues to persist and cause grief, people turn to poetry. Poetry has always been a place that humans find reprieve when there are hard times and when we are full of grief. The Poet Laureate maintains a role as a force of inspiration and care, even when we face troubling times. Ada Limón (our current Poet Laureate) is one such poet who writes into grief and comes out the other side with love and compassion. Poetry is regaining its relevancy in the age of Instagram, as well. The Poet Laureate engages with these things and has a moderate amount of power to direct the tide. All of this, and the Poet Laureate’s poetry will forever be included in the American cannon, including in exams such as the SAT and Standards of Learning for different states.
Watch the Inauguration of the Current Poet Laureate
At this link, you can watch the inaugural reading of Ada Limón. I watched the inaugural reading live in 2022 and, as always, Limón’s poetry brings me to tears. I made it a date, it was lovely. Grab a pen, make the lighting cozy and listen to Limón’s compassionate and modern voice. You won’t regret it.