It's a huge honor, but an imposing task: How do you get an entire state excited about poetry?
That's the job facing Lee Herrick. The governor appointed Herrick as the state’s Poet Laureate last November. The author, poet, and college professor said his job is simple: To be an ambassador for poetry across the state.
"The technical definition I suppose involves advocating for poetry, celebrating poetry, raising awareness of poets and poetry around the state," said Herrick. "Over the next two years, I'll be traveling to as many parts of California as I can, doing talks and workshops and everything I can do to promote poetry."
His poetry is known for exploring the state’s multicultural flavor. Herrick said his unusual upbringing allows him to give insight into the immigrant experience.
He was born in South Korea, and adopted in the United States. He lived in the Bay Area and Central Valley, and has family and friends in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Herrick said all of these things are influences in his work.
The college professor teaches at Fresno City College, and the University of Nevada, Reno. He’s been published in numerous journals, and has authored three books of poetry.
"I consider myself a lyric poet...I would like to think there is some musicality in it," said Herrick. He likes to deal with issues like identity, survival, hope, and trauma.
As part of his efforts to spread poetry, he’ll appear at the Santa Paula Agricultural Museum in Santa Paul at 11 a.m. Sunday. Then, Herrick will speak in Camarillo, at Cal State Channel Islands Broom Library at 10:30 a.m. Monday.
