Cathy Smith Bowers named poet laureate

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CORRECTION

A story in the Triangle & Co. section Jan. 30 mischaracterized how the state poet laureate is paid. The position comes with a yearly $10,000 stipend.

****** Gov. Bev Perdue has named a new state poet laureate: Cathy Smith Bowers, who teaches at both UNC Asheville and Queens University in Charlotte.

Bowers, who lives in Tryon, a small town south of Asheville, will be installed at a ceremony Feb. 10 at the State Capitol.

"Cathy's powerful poems open new avenues of thought and are a reflection of the love of words and learning," Perdue said in a statement. "She believes poetry inspires and instructs North Carolinians of all ages."

Reached by phone Friday, Bowers said, "North Carolina has an amazing number of stunning poets. I feel honored to be representing them and spending the next couple years inviting people into the dialogue of poetry."

Bowers will serve an unpaid two-year term as the state's ambassador for poetry and literature. Past poet laureates have written poems for special events or taught creative writing workshops online.

Bowers said she hopes to continue her predecessors' efforts but also wants to make poetry accessible to those who are not computer savvy. So far, that includes doing an hourlong show once a month on an Asheville radio station.

Bowers' poems have been published widely, from The Atlantic Monthly to The Kenyon Review. She has written three collections of poetry: "The Love That Ended Yesterday in Texas;" "Traveling in Time of Danger;" and "A Book of Minutes."

Mike Kobre, a professor at Queens University and co-director of the master of fine arts in creative writing program, said Bowers possesses a real mastery of form while remaining accessible.

Her book, "A Book of Minutes," refers to the minute poetic form that requires 12 lines, 60 syllables and strict iambic pentameter. Her topics include, travel, body organs and her husband's suicide.

Kobre also noted that Bowers is a much-lauded teacher. She received the J.B. Fuqua Distinguished Educator Award in 2002, and Kobre said of her students, "Universally, they all rave about how strong a teacher she is."