Ada Limón and the Value of a Poet Laureate: Who’s Next

For many people, the term Poet Laureate may draw some blank faces, and understandably so, since poetry isn’t something many people are interested in, at least not actively. But there is a deep value in poetry, particularly in the way that it can connect the people of a nation like fibers in a tapestry. Many places around the world have recognized this value and sought to implement it through a figure who has the capacity to enrich their nation. In the United States, this position was first called a “Consultant in Poetry” and started with Joseph Auslander in 1937. In 1986, the title became “Poet Laureate” and we have had many different laureates in the hundred or so years since this practice began, including such notable figures as Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Hayden and Robert Frost. As the years went on, some poets took the opportunity of being Poet Laureate of the United States to be an activist for a specific cause. Today, it is a highly respected position with the capacity to bring a special attention towards the poetic artform that it otherwise would not get. Poet laureates often embark on projects that they devote their undivided attention to, in service to their country. Our Poet Laureate Ada Limón has certainly been busy with a variety of poetic projects, and her time as poet laureate is just about up. Let’s take a closer look into who she is, what she did and discuss who could be next.

Ada Limón was born and raised in California. She is Mexican-American and the first Latina poet laureate, which is a milestone moment in the history of American poetry. She has won various awards and fellowships during her career, and obtained her MFA at New York University, which has an excellent reputation for its creative writing program and students. She is a skillful poet, and I have the means of making this claim personally. I have read one of her recent poetry collections, called “Bright Dead Things,” and I have a few things to say about it. First and foremost, her poetry is not overly dense; it is easily digestible with oftentimes simple and direct language, which is ideal for a broad audience. Limón keeps it straightforward with her style, often utilizing a freeform paragraph structure or using couplets to build her poems, only occasionally using styles that are more involved or peculiar. I noticed oftentimes how she used repetition through anaphoras, in poems like “The Conditional” and “Before” as well as others. The poems, ultimately, feel as though they allow us into an intimate space, one that feels like we are conversing with a friend one early morning over a cup of coffee. If this is the type of poetry you want to read, then look no further than your very own poet laureate of the United States of America. 

 I found from Limón’s personal website that her main project as poet laureate has been “‘You Are Here’ [which] is comprised of two major initiatives: a new anthology of nature poems and a series of visits to national parks, as well as a call for the public to participate.” Alongside this, according to NASA’s Curious Universe podcast, she wrote “‘In Praise of Mystery: A Poem for Europa,’ … the poem is etched onto the spacecraft [Europa Clipper] in Ada’s own handwriting.” I would certainly say she has been an effective poet laureate, but unfortunately, she will have to hand the reins over to someone else soon. 

Limón’s time is almost up. She served her first term, which was one year, from 2022 to 2023, and was then appointed for a second term for two years, which means that she is due to wrap up her role this year. According to the Library of Congress, the position runs from September to April, and the next laureate is chosen over the summer. Now we cannot help but ask: who is next? The position is determined by one person, the Librarian of Congress, who obtains input from various sources to help make their decision. I did notice that Ocean Vuong has not yet been appointed as poet laureate. Maybe they are looking for someone a bit older, though I would presume that it will be a popular poet, or at least someone who is trending. I can’t say for certain — maybe this new laureate will surprise us all. 

Caidan Pilarski is a senior in the college of Arts and Sciences. He can be reached at cpilarski@cornellsun.com.

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