Inaugural Poet 2009 – Elizabeth Alexander

Posted by Linda Sue Grimes Dec 18, 2008

After being photographed with a book by Caribbean versifier Derek Walcott under his arm, President-elect Barack Obama has finally chosen his inaugural poet, and the next president of the USA has nixed the 1992 Nobel laureate in favor of a Yale professor.

According to the Washington Post, “The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies announced today that Elizabeth Alexander, a prize-winning poet at Yale University who grew up in Washington, will read at the swearing in next month of President-elect Barack Obama.”

For a sample of Alexander’s style, please see my article, “Alexander's ‘Blues’: Sloth Without Music,” which analyzes one of her poems.