Who Should Be RI's Next Poet Laureate?

State Poet Rick Benjamin is heading off to new pastures in California next year.

Benjamin, who has brought poetry into schools and across Rhode Island during his tenure as state poet, will be teaching at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Governor Gina Raimindo said last week that “the poem that Rick wrote and recited for my Inauguration helped set the tone for the new Administration.

“He has brought poetry into schools and community centers throughout the state, and showed that art is essential to Rhode Island. As State Poet, Rick Benjamin has helped to advance the art form in Rhode Island. We are grateful for his work, and thank him for his service,” Raimondo said.

As a result of Benjamin’s departure, the state now begins a search for the next poet laureate.

The State Arts Council has begun to organize the search, Raimondo said, and whoever it is will have big shoes to fill.

Benjamin was the fifth state poet. The position was created in 1989.

He was preceded by Michael Harper (1989-1994) and C.D. Wright (1994-1999), Thomas Chandler (1999-2006) and Lisa Starr (2007-2012).

Benjamin was appointed to a five year term as State Poet by Governor Lincoln Chafee in January 2013. At the time, Benjamin said, his “deepest wish during my tenure will be to saturate this small state with poetry - in schools, community and assisted living centers, in places where poetry already has a presence and in some other ones where it is desperately needed.”

In his letter of resignation Benjamin told Raimondo that he plans to continue this work through the fall and into the New Year.