ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The City of St. John’s has chosen Mary Dalton as its new poet laureate.
Dalton, a longtime teacher of creative writing and author of five books of poetry, several chapbooks, and prose miscellany Edge will serve in the honourary position for a two-year term.
"St. John's is rich in poets and poetry, both past and present, and is one way this city reflects itself to itself,” Dalton stated in a release announcing her appointment.
“Experiencing the city through its poetry can deepen our sense of its history, landscape and culture, and even deepen our sense of community."
The honour, introduced in 2006, is bestowed by the city as a way of acknowledging poets and the valuable contribution of poetry to civic life. The poet laureate will act as an ambassador for poetry and will integrate poetry into a variety of official and unofficial civic events.
“Many people around the world have been influenced by Mary Dalton's work and Council is proud to bestow this honour," councillor Maggie Burton, council representative on the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, stated.
Mary Dalton is the fourth individual to hold the honour. The inaugural position was first held by Agnes Walsh from 2006 to 2009, followed by Tom Dawe from 2010 to 2013 and most recently George Murray from 2014 to 2017.
