Digital Learning Commons: Poetry: Poet Laureates

Poet Laureates

Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions about the Poet Laureate including history, duties and responsibilities, and interesting facts.

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“Frequently Asked Questions: United States Poets Laureate - Library of Congress Bibliographies, Research Guides,and Finding Aids (Virtual Programs&Services, Library of Congress).” Web Guides, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/poetslaureate/faq.html.

Joy Harjo

Joy Harjo (Poetry Foundation)
Biography on Tracy K. Smith, the current Poet Laureate of the United States. Includes links to selected poems.

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“Joy Harjo.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/joy-harjo.
Joy Harjo Becomes The 1st Native American U.S. Poet Laureate
Joy Harjo becomes the 23rd poet laureate of the United States, making her the first Native American to hold the position.

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Neary, Lynn, and Patrick Jarenwattananon. “Joy Harjo Becomes The 1st Native American U.S. Poet Laureate.” NPR, NPR, 19 June 2019, https://www.npr.org/2019/06/19/733727917/joy-harjo-becomes-the-first-native-american-u-s-poet-laureate.
Joy Harjo, the Poet of American Memory
Joy Harjo, though very much a poet of America, extracts from her own personal and cultural touchstones a more galactal understanding of the world, and her poems become richer for it.

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Phillips, Maya. “Joy Harjo, the Poet of American Memory.” The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2019, https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/joy-harjo-the-poet-laureate-of-american-memory.