Town Poet Laureate

Pierson Library and Shelburne, Vermont are looking for a poet laureate, someone who lives in Shelburne and is judged excellent by a local panel of the town manager, the library director, and a local literary expert. The nomination form identifies the purpose:

…the process of community development is being seen as an art as well as a science. Part of the art is bringing people together on an emotional and spirit level to work together to solve problems. Another part is to help residents who may disagree on methods to recommit to the health and well being of their community. Poetry has the ability to transcend the structures of our language and connect with us others in a way we couldn’t otherwise.

The poet laureate will participate in public events like Town Meeting, hold poetry readers at the library and other locations, and lead events during April, National Poetry Month. The Poet Laureate will also compose a poem for the Town Report The honorarium for the two year position is $25, paid by the Town of Shelburne.