Calling Cupertino Poets! Are You The Next Poet Laureate?

cpl logoIf you’re passionate about poetry and live or work in Cupertino, California, consider applying to be the City’s 6th Poet Laureate!

Feel free to email me for more information about what it’s like to serve as Cupertino Poet Laureate, and be sure to visit the City’s program page, which has information on the application process.

I’ve copied the page below. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE 1/10/2020!

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From https://www.cupertino.org/residents/arts-and-culture/cupertino-poet-laureate

Celebrate Creativity

Apply to Become Cupertino’s Poet Laureate

Our Vision:

The Cupertino Poet Laureate program will stimulate cultural and literary awareness in Cupertino; introduce youth and adults to the personal and community benefits of poetry both as personal reflection and as a reflection of our history and culture; reveal, recognize, and engage literary talent residing in our community; and promote our library as a cultural center in Cupertino.

Our Mission:

To provide the residents of Cupertino with programs, workshops, and events that introduce and reinforce poetry as an enriching cultural artform open and accessible to all.

Objectives:

  1. Raise awareness of poetry as a viable cultural art form for Cupertino residents, as
    measured by media presence, event variety, and increasing participation.
  2. Build interest in the various poetry forms, as measured by event and workshop
    participation.
  3. Build a desire for residents to be involved in further art and cultural activities.
  4. Increase active participation in all art forms, especially poetry, by all ages and
    ethnic communities who form the rich fabric of Cupertino as measured by
    offerings and involvement.

About the Position:

The Cupertino Poet Laureate is an honorary, volunteer position sponsored by the City of Cupertino and seated in the Cupertino Library. Sponsors and support networks include the Cupertino Library Commission, Friends of the Cupertino Library, and the Cupertino Library Foundation.

The Poet Laureate is a practicing poet with professional recognition and a talent for performance. The Poet Laureate is expected to host public events that promote the literary arts in our community and inspire creativity in all residents. Such events might include poetry contests, writing workshops, lectures, and public readings.

Each Poet Laureate brings a unique set of skills, attributes and interests to the position
along with varied and unique approaches to poetry. It is preferred that the Cupertino
Poet Laureate (CPL) come to the position with a willingness and experience in:

  • Planning
  • Budgeting/Fiscal Management
  • Scheduling
  • Writing
  • Marketing
  • Teaching/Facilitating
  • Speaking
  • Social Media

To apply, please submit the application (link above) and required attachments
to the Cupertino Poet Laureate Selection Committee at 10185 N. Stelling Rd.
Cupertino, CA 95014 or by e-mail to PoetLaureate@cupertino.org by
5:00pm, January 10, 2020.

 

Write Your First Poem

One of Jennifer Swanton Brown’s last events as Cupertino Poet Laureate was the “Write Your First Poem” workshop, held Thursday, October 8, 2015. Fifteen people came to the Cupertino Library Story Room for a fun and interactive workshop. A few people were there writing their very first poems, and a few were old timers from the community, looking for some new inspiration. All went away with poems, and from the smiles on their faces, a good time was had.

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These photos are of the exercise Jennifer did to warm up the crowd, the poem they wrote as a group from random words (chosen from Jennifer’s “word bowl”) and the prompts offered to tempt first time writers.

One of the first time writers was Yana Gulati, an elementary school student from Cupertino, who came to the workshop with her mother Elisabeth Merkle. Yana has given us permission to post her poems here, both in their first rough draft form and her typed second drafts. (I have a sneaking suspicion that Yana is not really a first time poet…)

Enjoy Yana’s poetry and please, Cupertino, keep writing!

two poems by Yana Gulati rough drafts_Page_1two poems by Yana Gulati rough drafts_Page_2

 

Why?

Why part for tomorrow, when you can do things today?

Why go back in the past when you can live in the present?

Why have a world with worries when you can have a carefree world?

Why would you have wrinkles when you could be young and frolicky.

Oh yes, there are many “why’s” in our planet.

 

Lies

Lies? Why tell lies about rushing when you say you got stuck in traffic, but you actually lost your pet rat Cinnamon.

Lies, Lies, the more you tell, the guiltier you get.

Why tell lies about loving spinach leafs, but when you eat them you spit it out.

Why tell the lies, the guilty, guilty lies instead of being truly honest.