Ormond to have own poet laureate?

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Laureates bring art, culture and opportunity to society, according to members of the Tomoka Poets.

BY WAYNE GRANT | STAFF WRITER

When the Tomoka Poets gather at the Ormond Beach Regional Library each month, much more than thoughtful discussions and poetry readings take place. There is also a lot of planning involved, strategizing how best to share verse with the public during readings, poetry slams and open mic night events at clubs.

One new initiative meant to spread culture throughout Ormond Beach is to have a poet laureate named for the state of Florida, as well as its communities.

The poet laureate post in state government has been empty since Edmund Skellings passed away Aug. 19, 2012. The position, established in 1928 by governor's proclamation, is a lifetime appointment.

Freddie Booth, Tomoka Poets member, called poetry an important part of an area’s culture.

“People always say the area needs more arts and culture,” he said. “That’s what a poet laureate does. They promote literacy and bring a more cultural environment.”

Booth hopes to meet with Ormond Beach city leaders, starting with Mayor Ed Kelley, to discuss the idea of having a laureate for the city.

Booth and other members of Tomoka Poets are working on a state level by contacting legislators. Since Gov. Rick Scott has not acted to name a state laureate, Booth says the Tomoka Poets have been contacting lawmakers in an effort to get a bill introduced.

“We have to be a thorn in their side,” said Mary-Ann Westbook, an Ormond-by-the-Sea resident, president of Tomoka Poets and secretary of the Florida State Poets Association.

Local poet David Axelrod called poet laureates an “ambassador of the arts.” One of the things a laureate can do, he said, is to coordinate grant money and donations to help young authors get published.

Westbook said she has seen cities where poems are printed on the side of buses.

“That’s the sort of thing you could do if you had a laureate,” she said.

The next opportunity to hear live poetry locally will be Sept. 28, at Frappes North, 123 W. Granada Blvd., for an evening of “True Confessions.”

Axelrod will read poems and emcee the event, which will feature local poets who have promised to tell some of their most intimate secrets.

The Tomoka Poets meet the second Wednesday of every month. Call 321-626-6628, or email [email protected].