Somerville Names Third Poet Laureate

SOMERVILLE, MA – This month the city named resident Lloyd Schwartz its third Poet Laureate. Schwartz's literary background includes his current role as a professor of English at the University of Massachusetts Boston and his poetry collections These People; Goodnight, Gracie; Cairo Traffic and Little Kisses.

His poems have been published in The Yorker, Poetry, The Atlantic, The New Republic, Paris Review, Kenyon Review, Agni, Consequence, Plougshares and many other journals. He has been awarded the Pushcart Prize, The Best American Poetry – three times – and The Best of the Best American Poetry.

"Lloyd’s work is poised and insightful, and I think it will really resonate with the Somerville community," Gregory Jenkins, director of the Somerville Arts Council, said in a statement. "He conveyed a thoughtful perspective on his approach to this position, and has a passion for promoting poetry through his teaching. We’ve gained an impressive ambassador in Lloyd Schwartz."

The city created the Poet Laureate position in 2015 to enhance the profile of poets and poetry in Somerville and surrounding communities. The Poet Laureate is expected to bring poetry to segments of the community that currently have less access or exposure to poetry: senior citizens, youth, and schools. Appointed by the mayor, the Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term and receive an honorarium of $2,000 per year.

"I’m honored to have been chosen Somerville’s new poet laureate. I’ve been living and writing in—and writing about—this city for nearly 35 years," Schwartz said in a press release. "It’s come to feel like home. I love its down-to-earth spirit and its increasing inclusivity. Having spent my whole adult life bringing poetry to my students, I value the chance to encourage my neighbors to love poetry as much as I do."

Schwartz was chosen based on a series of criteria, including excellence in craftsmanship, professional achievement, and creating a vision for the position. A panel composed of four local poets— Doug Holder, Harris Gardner, Linda Conte, and Hilary Sallick—reviewed applicant work, interviewed candidates, and ultimately chose Schwartz.

"As a panelist on the Somerville Art Council's Poet Laureate panel, I am pleased to announce that Lloyd Schwartz will be our new poet laureate. All panel members were impressed with Schwartz's experience, commitment, and poetry. We feel he will raise the poet laureate position to even a higher level," Holder said in a release.

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