Governor Jay Nixon is accepting applications for a two-year appointment to be Missouri’s next poet laureate. The incumbent is David Clewell, Professor of English at Webster University. One of the panel members reviewing applications for the next poet laureate will be Kris Kleindienst, owner of Left Bank Books. In his statement soliciting poetic applications , the Gov noted that the Show-Me State “has a long tradition of poets and authors whose words have moved and inspired generations of people around the world.” Our own nominee would be the Gov’s own chief speech writer, former Grey Old Lady editorial page editor Christy Bertelson, whose deft touch has definitely stepped up Nixon’s rhetorical game with inspiring flourishes. But there are others who could offer a few verses to qualify as Missouri’s official poet. The love letters that brought together Mr. and Mrs. WashU Chancellor Mark Wrighton are the stuff of legend.  Because the poet laureate is expected to visit schools and lecture students, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder’s memoirs of going Eastside to court a Penthouse Pet are probably a disqualifier. No one will confuse the Tweets of Mayor Francis Slay with Shakespeare, witty though they may be. at times Former First Lady and United States Senator Jean Carnahan prefers to devote her books to essays on fun subjects such as the lives of families who lived in the Governors Mansion. And, of course, Ed Martin is always looking to switch his mission – first the race for U.S. Senate, then 2nd Congress and as of Thursday, attorney general - so maybe the poet laureate will be Unsteady Eddie’s next target for employment.

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