| February 21, 2002
Lawmakers like lyricism, ponder poet proposal
By REBECCA COOK
Associated Press Writer
OLYMPIA (AP) - What Washington state needs is an official poet.
That's what some lawmakers think, and they want you to know it.
A bill to create a state poet laureate is being sponsored by Rep.
Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam. If any legislators think she's kidding about
this, the joke's on them.
"Arts are my passion," said Kessler, the state House member. "I'm
always looking for opportunities to expand exposure of arts in society,"
said the poetry defender.
The poet laureate wouldn't just sit around during the two-year term
and think of clever rhymes. The bill says he or she would give readings,
workshops and lectures around the state - at least 20 times.
Lawmakers heard about House Bill 1570 at Friday's State Government
Committee hearing, and most appeared swayed. Rep. Jan Shabro, R-Bonney
Lake, had just one important question: Is this position paid?
An expensive price tag would be a bad idea, with the state facing a
$2.4 billion budget hole. The last thing Washington needs, lawmakers
might say, is a poet on the dole.
But this poet laureate would not be paid, at least not with taxpayer
money. Kessler said private donations should cover the cost, making the
bill's prospects more sunny.
The state Humanities Commission would choose the lucky person.
Without a poet laureate, some lawmakers say our culture will surely
worsen.
"We live in a society that's dominated by PlayStation Two and video
games," said Cle Elum Republican Rep. Bill Hinkle.
He added that the poet laureate could also champion homegrown cowboy
poetry from Washington state, adding a new wrinkle.
Forty other states already have a poet laureate. Some, such as New
Jersey, may be sorry for it.
New Jersey poet laureate Amiri Baraka's poem about the Sept. 11
attacks was labeled anti-Semitic. That state's lawmakers are now trying
to oust Baraka from the position - everybody's a critic.
U.S. poet laureate Billy Collins has publicly spoken against the
possibility of war in Iraq. Luckily for Collins, his appointment isn't
one the president can take back.
Washington state poet and editor Sam Hamill led a campaign to send
anti-war poems and statements to the White House. That prompted the
cancellation of a poetry forum hosted by First Lady Laura Bush, the
president's spouse.
It's true, Kessler said, that poetry can be controversial. But that
doesn't mean the state should settle for the lyricism of a beer
commercial.
"That's always a risk with an artist," Kessler said. But she still
thinks the poetry bill should move ahead.
Asked if she was tempted to write her bill in verse, Kessler laughed:
"Oh no, I'm not a poet."
Neither is this reporter, and boy, don't I know it.
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