Pomfret Poet Laureate
2026
The Pomfret Board of Selectmen approved a resolution creating the position of “Pomfret Poet Laureate” on August 2, 2021. The resolution is designed to support literacy and imagination, foster young poets and to offer a new way to commemorate life in the community through poetry. Our inaugural poet laureates have been Nancy Weiss and Christine Kalafus, who have now completed two terms as co-poet laureates, and it is upon us to appoint a new poet to the position!
Nominations (including self-nomination) of interested poets who reside in Pomfret should be made by Friday, January 2, 2026. The Pomfret Poet Laureate will serve a two-year uncompensated term with potential for another consecutive term. The Library Board of Trustees administers this unpaid position and its functions. The Pomfret Public Library’s Board of Trustees will consider all nominations, select a poet laureate, and recommend that person to the Pomfret Board of Selectmen, who will appoint the Pomfret Poet Laureate. Requirements for nominees include residency in the town of Pomfret, being over 18 years of age, excellence as evidenced by submitted poetry examples and history of publication, a history of activity advancing poetry in the Pomfret area and its literary community, and excellence as shown by recognition, awards, and so forth.
The goal of establishing a Pomfret Poet Laureate is to “promote poetry, good writing, reading, and imagination,” to inspire people to “promote literacy through poetry,” and to add a new way to commemorate Pomfret and its life by “composing poetry that speaks to, for, and of our town.” The poet laureate should also help “foster the development of youth poetry…and help provide a platform for emerging young poets to present their works in conjunction with Library and Town-sponsored events.” The selectmen’s full resolution can be read at https://www.pomfretct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3701/f/uploads/202108121250.pdf
Do you or someone you know fit the bill for Pomfret Poet Laureate? If so, limber up your pen (or keyboard), and submit a nomination to: [email protected]. Please include:
- Three-five sample poems
- Curriculum vitae
- Statement about how you, or the person you are nominating, would be an asset to the community in the role of Pomfret Poet Laureate.
Qualifications
- Excellence as evidenced by submitted poetry samples.
- Excellence in his/her profession as evidenced by a history of publications in journals and books, awards, honors, fellowships, and/or recognition.
- Advancement of poetry in the Pomfret area as demonstrated by a history of activity in the area’s literary community through teachings, readings, publications, and/or public presentations.
- Nominees may not be on Pomfret Commissions or Staff.
- Be at least 18 years of age and a resident of Pomfret for at least one year, and maintain Pomfret residency during his or her term.
Responsibilities
- Implement in conjunction with the Board of Trustees a community outreach and education program to encourage the appreciation, writing, reading, and performance of poetry within the Town of Pomfret.
- Participate in events each year to encourage the writing, reading and performance of poetry by providing public poetry readings, workshops, lectures and/or presentations.
- Promote literacy through poetry and foster the development of a youth poetry initiative with the goal of providing a system and platform for emerging young poets to present their works in conjunction with the Pomfret Public Library and Town sponsored events.
- Commemorate the Town of Pomfret by composing poetry that speaks to, for, and of our Town.