How Bren Simmers plans to 'elevate Island poets' as P.E.I.’s 9th poet laureate
CBC
The title of poet laureate was not one Bren Simmers thought was in the cards for her.
So the moment the phone rang with the offer, she was quick to accept.
“When I got the call, I was like, what? How is this possible that this dream I had when I was younger is coming true?" Simmers told CBC News.
“It’s an honour, right? Because it’s people in your community that are recognizing the work that you’re doing. It was a real thrill to be asked.”
The award-winning poet and author of five books was appointed by Robin Croucher, the minister of education and early years, and recognized in a recent ceremony.
Simmers has received numerous local, regional and national awards for her work, including CBC's 2022 Poetry Prize for her collection of poems Spell World Backwards.
She is the ninth writer to hold the position and follows Tanya Davis, who wrapped up her tenure last month.
Simmers is excited that the poet laureate role itself isn’t very clearly defined. That means she gets to take control of what she wants to accomplish.
She decided her goal is to “elevate Island poets and Island poetry.”
That can mean connecting audiences of people with a passion for reading poetry to Island poets, or connecting the writers to poetry communities in the larger Atlantic region.
“We have amazing poets on this Island that are writing about the beauty of the landscape, and getting into words what it’s like to live on Prince Edward Island, on Epekwitk” she said.
“I think that’s really important to see ourselves reflected, and to see all the different experiences of this Island reflected through poetry.”
Outreach and community don't stop at people already in those circles. One of the highest compliments, for Simmers, is to be told by someone who doesn’t “usually like poetry” that a work spoke to them in some way.
Part of elevating Island poetry is to spread the power behind the art to as many people as possible, and if you ask Simmers, the Island's scene has something for everyone.
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