To be named Poet Laureate of the United States, a poet must be one whose work is representative of the people of the country. There is no specific obligation of the Poet Laureate; rather, Laureates receive a US$35,000 stipend and are given the responsibility of overseeing an ongoing series of poetry readings and lectures at the [Library of Congress], and a vague charge to promote poetry. (Wikipedia) Thus, it is primarily an honorific recognition, but one which carries significant professional acclaim.
In some countries, England for example, Poet Laureates serve in the position for life. In England the Poet Laureate is seen as the Monarch’s poet, and is required to provide poetry for state occasions. In this country, however, the term is for a year or two. The appointment is made by the Library of Congress and the President. Only on rare occasions is the Poet Laureate of the United States asked to create a specific product, as in the aftermath of September 11th, 2001, when the President asked Billy Collins to provide a poem for the nation to express the grief of the people.
This past week W.S. Merwin was named Poet Laureate of the United States, an act which may draw him from his near-isolation at his home, a pineapple plantation in Hawaii. For many years Merwin has been somewhat of a hermit, resisting public appearances, yet continuing to write prolific quantities of significant poetry.
Merwin’s poetry is what some, myself included, might call “traditional.” Its content is classic and seems to follow themes which are traditionally pursued in classic poetry. His written style, however, tends to be modern, embracing that sometimes jarring and sometimes-pretentious irregularity of meter and form which the average American reader may find too obscure. Among his quirks is the absence of punctuation and capitalization (except at the beginning of the line.) Merwin does not, for the most part, write rhyming poetry in standard lines. That style, it would seem, has become “old fashioned” and is regarded by some poetry critics as being archaic.
My favorite poet, as I have said before, is Billy Collins, who served as Poet Laureate of the United States for two terms in 2001-2003. The difference between his poetry and that of Merwin is remarkable. Not better, not worse, just different.
You might wonder why we need a Poet Laureate. The answer is that we probably don’t. Such roles, and such people, are not required in order for us to exist as a people. But there is, within the soul of a nation, a yearning for expression, and poetry and music have been the most extraordinary ways of expressing that yearning. By identifying a person capable of knowing that soul and being able to put it into words and rhythm, a Poet Laureate can be the voice of the heart of a nation.
It will be interesting to see what Merwin writes about the broken heart of America at this moment when we are faced with a catastrophe seemingly beyond our capability of recovery. His love of nature will certainly provide poignant words.
For the Anniversary of My Death
by W. S. Merwin
