DR. DAVID B. AXELROD 

SUFFOLK COUNTY POET LAUREATE    

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ANNUAL REPORT OF SUFFOLK COUNTY POET LAUREATE

DR. DAVID B. AXELROD

(June 26, 2008)  

It has been a very productive first year of my two-year Laureate appointment. In that time, I have performed at over forty events, published poetry in a dozen journals as well as publishing a new book. I have met with the present United States Poet Laureate, Charles Simic, and past Laureate, Billy Collins, and worked with dozens of new and established poets, many of whose photos can now be viewed at this website . Click: Recent Activities!

Most enjoyable, and for me, most important, however, is the Young Poets Mentoring Program, which has received both grants and donations from a variety of people and organizations. We have come a long way toward meeting the goal of publishing chapbooks of Suffolk County ’s young poets.

At present we have fifteen young poets paired with fifteen established poets who are assisting in the writing, revision, formatting and completion of books of poetry that, I hope, will launch the careers of a whole new crop of poets!

For my part, to help the project, I have donated all of my reading fees and any profits from the sale of my books to the Young Poets Mentoring Program. The total of that donation to date is $641 in book sales and $1500 in performance fees. That, together with $1200 in grants, gives the project a grand total of $3341. But lest you think that is sufficient, keep in mind that my original goal was to raise the funds to assist up to 40 young poets, which would require fully twice as much or more than we have in funds. SO  PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DONATE!  

Even as late as August, last year, there was talk about the fate of Suffolk County ’s Poet Laureate. We are well past any difficulties, but now it is time to look ahead. The post of “official poet” deserves to be preserved. The post of Laureate also deserves to have its own budget. Not every poet who is qualified for the job can afford to buy the gas to drive the 3,000 plus miles I have driven to perform my duties, or take days off to make appearances. Nor should a Laureate be expected to donate his/her reading fees, or personal money, though it is my own pleasure to do so.  

It is time to begin a quiet but persuasive campaign to “Support Suffolk County's Poet Laureate.” Mind you, that is not me asking for your support. That is me asking you to tell people why we need a Laureate. Tell people that we need to form a good committee to appoint a new Laureate (the fourth in succession after me. My term expires on March 30, 2009). We need to fund the next Laureate so good poets can do the good work!

Don’t just write your County legislator. Go meet with him or her. Tell friends and neighbors. It is just six months from when a committee would need to work! The advance work should start now to assure the Legislature is ready and willing to back a new Laureate.

There was a rumor this position would not be renewed after my term. Let that be just a rumor! Poetry lightens our hearts, it teaches us to sing, it gives voice to the most important ideas and sentiments. Poetry, after all, is about people. Let the people of Suffolk County be served!  

With pleasure,
Dr. David B. Axelrod, Suffolk County Poet Laureate,  appointed June 26th, 2007.