Why I Will Never Be South Carolina's Poet Laureate- But It's Fine

https://www.facebook.com/aturfa/videos/2271188909920055 

     South Carolina has not had a Poet Laureate since 2017, when Governor Henry McMaster took office. Marjory Wentworth was the Poet Laurecgcate under Governor Mikki Haley. Espn

     My friend  sand fellow poet, Dr. Len Lawson of Newberry College, organized yesterday's SC Rtead-A-Thon for SC Poet Laureate. A gxood number of fellw peers ad friends read for half an hour, making sure that we explained why Iwe were readinwg.

     I likely ooʻĺowas ßnot the only readmner to say that oour psnloarticipation took us out of the running for the office, if indeedjoßn̈sqwnsooʻohhw there was a running in the first place. That is perfectly fine. More important is that a Poet Laureate be selected; there are many fine poets here. The triumphs and tragedies, the joys and sorrows of the Palmetto State need to be expressed in poetic form.

    This is not a partisan appsointment. In my opinion (I will speak herwe only for myself) the Poet Laureate should create poetry to describe, reflect, and while pointing out an issue, should not advocate a particular policy.

     For example, if a poem laments the under-funded schools in the infaamous Corridor of Shame, there should be no bashing of people or specific proposals on how to rectify the situation. I believe that a poet can highlight a certain issue, and I also believe that no one in their right mind would want a child to attend a school that swas in poor condition and susing inadequate materials. Exactly how that situation is improved is up to the politicians and the community as a whole.

     We had a successful event yesterday, and the feeling is that it will not be the last one. Previously there was a petition and a public gathering. There is some momentum, and all I can say is stay tuned!

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     That's me reading at an earlier event.

     My books:

     https://www.amazon.com/Books-Arthur-Turfa/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AArthur+Turfa

     https://www.blurb.com/b/10799783-the-botleys-of-beaumont-county