I was interested to read that Minnesota finally has a poet laureate, and that Gov. Tim Pawlenty called Robert Bly a "Minnesota treasure." I agree with his assessment, and wonder if Pawlenty has had a change of heart regarding the creation of this position.
In 2005, he vetoed a bill that would have established a state poet laureate, saying "I have concerns that this will lead to calls for similar positions. We could also see requests for a state mime, interpretive dancer or potter."
Since more than half of the states have a poet laureate, creating one for Minnesota didn't seem like such an unusual idea, and the bill was sponsored by a Republican and overwhelmingly supported by the Legislature. I hope that the governor is sincere in his appreciation of Robert Bly's new title, and is no longer fearful that this will lead to the creation of what appeared to him in 2005 to be other frivolous positions.
JERRY CLARKE, EAST BETHEL
