Iowa’s first-ever Poet Laureate is completing his first year with the honorary title. Marvin Bell was in California this week talking about poetry and has made stops all over Iowa to discuss and promote the craft and to read his work aloud. He says -anyone- can write poetry. Bell lives in Iowa City and has taught at the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa since the fall of 1965. He says people who think all poetry has to rhyme or that it has to be a certain length or style need to take another look. Bell is the author of 17 books of poetry and essays. He will be appearing later this afternoon and evening at Morningside College in Sioux City for a discussion and poetry readings. Governor Vilsack appointed Bell as “Iowa’s Poet Laureate” in March of last year for a renewable two-year term.
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