Title
Special Recognition - Poetry Reading from City of Olympia Poet Laureate Ocean
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a poetry reading from City of Olympia Poet Laureate Ocean.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a poetry reading from Olympia’s Poet Laureate Ocean.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Johnson, Arts Program Manager
Ocean, Olympia Poet Laureate
Background and Analysis:
Part of the work of Olympia’s Poet Laureate is to present a poem at a City Council meeting near the beginning of each year. Goals of the Poet Laureate program are to:
• Promote poetry as an art form
• Expand access to the literary arts
• Connect the community to poetry
• Promote poetry as a community voice that contributes to a sense of place
• And to address the topic of the Poet Laureate appointment to utilize the power of poetry and language to contribute thoughtful response and centering around the concept of resilience.
In his first quarter as Poet Laureate, Ocean:
• Organized a virtual writing workshop “Experiments with Poetry” with Grant Miller & A.M. O'Malley
• Met with City staff, community organizations and other poets to vet potential for future projects.
During his second quarter, Ocean will host an event at the spring Arts Walk and plans to partner with the Olympia Poetry Network to host a poetry workshop and reading to explore how engaging with art can inspire creative writing, among other projects.
Ocean selected this poem, “Old Tree Breathe with Me” because of the resilience of forests, and about how they have been with us since time immemorial. Also because of how we co-breathe with trees, exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide. This poem will soon be published by Severed Branches Press.
Climate Analysis:
The task of the 2025-2027 Poet Laureate is to utilize the power of poetry and language
to contribute thoughtful response and centering around the concept of resilience, which can be an important part of climate response.
Equity Analysis:
The task of the 2025-2027 Poet Laureate is to utilize the power of poetry and language
to contribute thoughtful response and centering around the concept of resilience, which can be an important part of equity work.
Financial Impact:
$2,750 is budgeted annually for the Poet Laureate program from the Municipal Art Fund.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The Poet Laureate program is of interest to many community members.
Options:
1. Receive the poetry reading from Poet Laureate Ocean.
2. Do not receive the poetry reading from Poet Laureate Ocean.
3. Receive the poetry reading from Poet Laureate Ocean
at another time.
Attachments:
Poem - Old Tree Breathe with Me