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<\/figure>U.S. Poet Laureate: Joy Harjo <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Appointed by the Librarian of Congress, the U.S. Poet Laureate serves as the nation’s official poet. Joy Harjo is currently the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States (2019-present) and is the first Native American poet to hold this honor. View the Library of Congress\u2019s resource guide to Harjo\u2019s work<\/a> and explore her signature project \u201cLiving Nations, Living Words<\/a>,\u201d which features the work of contemporary Native American poets across the country through an interactive Story Map and audio collection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Harjo\u2019s latest book of poems An American Sunrise<\/em><\/a> <\/em>is available to check out from Collins Library.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Washington State Poet Laureate: Claudia Castro Luna<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Appointed by the Governor, the Washington State Poet Laureate serves to build awareness and appreciation of poetry through programming in communities throughout the state. Claudia Castro Luna is the 5th Washington State Poet Laureate (2018-2021). She is the author of several poetry collections and also the creator of Seattle Poetic Grid<\/a>, a digital mapping project which traces the city in the voices of its citizens. Her book One River, a Thousand Voices<\/em><\/a>, available in Archives and Special Collections, commemorates a statewide project about the Columbia River \u201cto explore a sense of place, of ecology, of history, and to celebrate the power of words and stories to define ourselves and our communities.\u201d Learn more about Castro Luna\u2019s work at her website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Tacoma Poet Laureate: Lydia K. Valentine<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Tacoma Poet Laureate Program was founded in 2008 to showcase local artists and celebrate Tacoma\u2019s literary community. Playwright, poet, and educator, Lydia K. Valentine will serve as Tacoma\u2019s next Poet Laureate for 2021-2023. Her first poetry collection, Brief Black Candles<\/em>, was published in November 2020. Find out more about Valentine\u2019s current projects at her website, Lyderary Ink<\/a>, and mark your calendars for the Pass the Torch Virtual Event, when she will officially assume her title. This free, public event will be held Thursday, April 22, 2021 from 6\u20137:15 PM on TV Tacoma, livestreamed on the City\u2019s Facebook page<\/a>, and on Zoom<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Stay tuned for future posts celebrating National Poetry Month throughout April!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Poetry Month through the work of current poet laureates! U.S. Poet Laureate: Joy Harjo Appointed by the Librarian of Congress, the U.S. Poet Laureate serves as the nation’s official poet. Joy Harjo is currently … Continue reading ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.pugetsound.edu\/collinsunbound\/files\/2021\/04\/npm2.png\")
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