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 Laureate under Governor Mikki Haley.
My friend and fellow poet, Dr. Len Lawson of Newberry College, organized yesterday's SC Read-A-Thon for SC Poet Laureate. A good number of fellow peers and friends read for half an hour, making sure that we explained why we were reading.
I likely was not the only reader to say that our participation took us out of the running for the office, if indeed 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 appointment. In my opinion (I will speak here 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 infamous 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 was in poor condition and using 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!
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
Nice to hear there's some activity picking up at least, hope it keeps going! We need poetry.
ReplyDeleteThanks! There will be poetry, rest assured. t would be nice to restore this particular office, I doubt it will happen, though.
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