SAN FRANCISCO—The San Francisco Poet Laureate Program, initiated by Mayor Brown, began with the crowning of its first Laureate Lawrence Ferlinghetti on October of 1998. Previous Poet Laureates, appointed by Mayor Willie Brown, included Ferlinghetti, Janice Mirikitani and Devorah Major. Now 10 years have come and gone and SF Mayor Gavin Newsom and the San Francisco Poet Laureate Nominating Committee are teaming up to find their 5^th literary giant to succeed the honorary Poet Laureate Jack Hirschman.

Current Mayor Newsom and the Laureate Committee will be searching amongst thousands of nominees who will be challenging their own poetic prowess.

High expectations are a standard for nominees selected for the program. Noted Laureate Committee Member Marcia Schneider stated in a recent press release, “ Poet Laureate nominees must be San Francisco residents, have a substantial body of published work, including at least one full-length book (minimum 48 pages, not self-published or vanity press) or CD (not self-produced) or 20 or more published poems in established publications, print or online, over the past five years.

Although the nominee’s talent must match an extensive resume, the one chosen will definitely reap the rewards. Social activist Hirschman was awarded the title in 2006 by Mayor Newsom. He will now be serving as one of this year’s Poet Laureate Committee members. Though his time has expired, he speaks about the experience, stating, “The Poet Laureate is ordinarily an honor bestowed. There are certain things he/she must do; first make an inauguration speech and second participate in the city–wide event Litquake [a Writer’s Festival].” He states humbly, “Essentially you’re not required to do anything else, but I have always been active, because culture is the way I breathe, since I am a Marxist—a Communist.”

Throughout his journey he has encouraged writers to use their own voices in the literary world; Hirschman created the Poets 11 in 2007. “It was my idea to have monthly readings in branch libraries in each district of each month. Poets in those districts would submit three poems each and then read them. I chose the most excellent in each district.” Winners were awarded certificates and $50 each. Those who didn’t win were not slighted since “all submitters all read at least one poem and still participated.” Hirschman’s great accomplishment amongst many others as SF’s Laureate included his International Poetry Festival, in which hundreds showcased their passion for poetry. He stated, “Thirteen poets from all around the world came and read at the Palace of the Arts” and other venues. There were over 600 people over the three-day poetry festival. “Poets read in their own languages and translations were projected by a huge screen; that was its dynamic.” Like reliving his own passions Hirschman restated, “it was very successful.”

Upon being asked if he could describe his reign as the Poet Laureate of ‘06-’08 in one sentence, he responded: “The people of San Francisco responded very poetically, politically, and affirmatively!”

As a Committee member himself, Hirschman states of the intriguing upcoming event, “The next meeting is August 29; this group of 7-8 people are putting in nominees for new poet laureates. Nominations can also be put in libraries.”

There’s still time left. If you’re interested, nomination forms for the Poet Laureate can be found online at http://sfpl.org/poetlaureate.htm or at any San Francisco Public Library. Nominations should include a two or three paragraph statement on why the nominee should be San Francisco’s Poet Laureate, and include a bibliography of published works and/or performance history. Nominations, which are due on August 29, 2008, should be sent to Luis Herrera, City Librarian, San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, or submitted to any branch of the San Francisco Public Library. For more information, please call Committee member Marcia Schneider at (415) 557-4277.

To all of the nominees of the San Francisco Poet Laureate Program, good luck!