Joy Harjo Explains the Job of Poet Laureate

Starting in the 17th century, one British poet was appointed by the king as “poet laureate,” a sort of writer-on-call who wrote poems and produced theatrical productions for the royal court. His salary included a “butt of Canary wine” per year. The modern British poet laureate is still partially paid in alcohol, receiving about 720 bottles of sherry. Americans eventually adopted the British tradition, and the U.S. poet laureateship was established in 1936. Salary included 0.0% alcohol. Robert Frost, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Ada Limón have all held this coveted role. So what’s it like to be an American poet laureate today? Let’s ask one. Joy Harjo: The laureateship is based around what the poet wants to do. It's a one-year term. It's an honorary term. Each American poet laureate has the opportunity to design a unique project to complete during their term. Joy Harjo: I wanted people to know that I was not the only Native poet. So I picked 50 poets, 47 came through, and each of them was placed on the map. And they talk about place. And they also curated their own poem.

People can read poets, Native poets from all over the country and, hear them speak about land and they can also hear them read their poem. It's now part of a permanent collection at the Library of Congress. “Poet laureate” may be an honorary title. But the office reminds us that even with so much beautiful art in the world, there is something special about poetry. Joy Harjo: I started writing not knowing that I would be a poet. I don't know, there's probably very few people who wake up or come into this life and say, “I'm going to be a poet.”

Poetry was something that—maybe it was pursuing me. I don't know that I pursued it. All I know is that it was intense and it became very clear to me that that was my path. Joy Harjo: I think poetry is the root of it all, even when I'm playing horn. When I'm playing saxophone or flute, it’s still an aural, A-U-R-A-L, aural art. But I'm still dealing with similar things, you know. With poetry, I feel like I use words to get to the places the words can't go.