Everyone has asked me if I've been sad about my term as poet laureate coming to an end. I have felt nothing but relief and joy.
Signature MiMi will be a great eight poet laureate of Portland, and I had a beautiful outgoing ceremony last week.
I had the opportunity to read poems I wrote over the years during my term, and the Portland Public Library revealed an exhibit of lines of my poem "In Memoriam" that will be in their building for years to come.
The wooden pen I'm holding in the picture above now has my name along with previous poets laureate's names. MiMi will receive this pen this October.
I lived in Portland now for seven years as of today. People resonating with my words and being willing to work with me in community building through poetry is much more than I ever could have asked for. I am proud of the community I have built as well as the legacy of advocacy through poetry during my three years as Portland's poet laureate.
What a time to be alive. <3
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