The state poet laureate is a position authorized (double meaning) by a law passed by the state legislature. The law specifies that a person is chosen by a committee or commission, identified in the amendment, that has expertise in the field of identifying an accomplished poet. This poet is usually home grown or resides in the state and has been recognized by various literary entities by awards and short list mentions. The law spells out the responsibilities of the position, the compensation, and the length of service. The position may have a teaching requirement and is often someone on the faculty of a local university. The announcement of the poet laureate is quite an honor for the recipient and validation of the work and talent it takes to be recognized for excellence in any field, especially writing. Writing is synonymous with education, and higher education. Although the alphabet is one of the most important things we teach our children, writing for a living is a rarity. And writing poetry even more so. A poet, most often has to be a teacher in an English department, or something else to make a living. For a state to make a law to recognize someone for their poetry, speaks to the community that values the art as part of the culture, and localizes the tradition.
So here is the "or not" part: According to the Library of Congress website, these states have vacant positions for state poet laureate: Arizona-Florida-Nebraska-Nevada-West Virginia. And even worse these states have no position: Massachusetts-Michigan-New Jersey-New Mexico-Ohio-Pennsylvania. Let's shame these states into passing laws to get into the fold. Is there a shortage of poets? Are there no poets in these states, no poetry? Are there programs to show children that poetry, or art, or creativity matters? Poetry is for everyone. Surely the first group of states are not breaking their own law. Walt Whitman wrote, " The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem." Each state has an important history and voice unique to the people who live there and of a poetic nature, and should adopt a
state poet laureate law. To see who your state poet laureate is and what they have written, visit the Library of Congress website below, with links to your state. If you live in a state without a state poet laureate, you could be the one who convinces a state senator to write the amendment to advance education, the arts, and state pride. . Contact your representative, and make history. Who would vote against that?
http://www.loc.gov/rr/main/poets/current.html