Apparently Oregon has a poet laureate although, in the words of Michael Caine, not a lot of people know that. It was a a surprise to learn states as well as countries could have poet laureates, although I can't imagine the idea catching on in places like Alabama, for instance. I could be wrong.
According to this article by the Ashland Daily Tidings Paulann Petersen, Oregan's poet in residence, is friendly and approachable.
Which means she's probably nothing at all like the late and great British poet laureate Ted Hughes.
Why the World Isn't Flat by Paulann Petersen
Water would have no place
to travel. Rivers would have no beds.
Oceans, no ebb and go.
The stream you're beside
would have staggered and stymied
long ago. No fine rapids chatter.
Leafboats sailing along? Gone.
No downhill song
for former rain to croon.
No need for the fingerling trout
to make its swing-muscled
swim against the flow.
— Paulann Petersen from The Voluptuary, Lost Horse Press, 2010
Thank goodness the world isn't flat! Beautiful poem. And I had no idea that states had their own poet laureate until this past January when Lisa Starr, RI Poet Laureate, read a new poem at the inauguration of Governor Chafee. Had a hard time listening--not to her, but to the new Gov. ;)
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