Six Ways U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan Could Spend Her $5,000 Travel Allowance

Travel Blog  •  Michael Yessis  •  08.13.08 | 12:33 PM ET

imageKay Ryan describes herself as a “modern hermit.” Yet her position includes a $5,000 travel allowance. What’s the new U.S. poet laureate to do? Don’t just use the money to fly to Washington, D.C., and seclude yourself in an office at the Library of Congress, Kay. I have other ideas:

1) Head to Amherst, Massachusetts, and visit the birthplace of Emily Dickinson, whose work your “compressed, metaphysical poetry” has been compared to.

2) Go to Homer, Alaska, and visit the childhood home of well-known songstress-turned-poet, Jewel, whose childish and a little silly poetry will never be compared to yours. (I hope.) Better yet: Skip Jewel’s place and just enjoy Homer, an end-of-the-earth spot that’s a pretty good stop for a modern hermit.

3) In fact, revel in being a hermit. While you’re up north, go to the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, an even better end-of-the-earth spot in Alaska. It’s the least dense county or county equivalent in the U.S. with 0.045 people per square mile. Don’t worry about food. Airport Pizza can fly in a pie or two.

4) The AP says you’re a mountain-bike enthusiast. Go to Moab, Utah. Enjoy the silence of the desert and rhythm of the slickrock trail. It should provide all sorts of poetic inspiration.

5) Fly to Hawaii, perhaps one of the less-traveled islands such as Kauai or Lanai. Beware, though, of Cokie Roberts. If she thinks it’s wrong for a U.S. presidential candidate to visit the islands, who knows what she’ll say about the U.S. poet laureate going there.

6) When you do get to Washington, D.C., make time for Busboys and Poets. FYI: Tuesday is open mic night.

Anyone else with a travel suggestion for our new poet laureate?

Related on World Hum:
* Billy Collins: The Poetry of Travel
* The Poetry Bus: ‘The Most Ambitious Poetry Tour Ever Attempted’

Tags: Literary Travel


2 Comments for Six Ways U.S. Poet Laureate Kay Ryan Could Spend Her $5,000 Travel Allowance

Busboys And Poets 08.13.08 | 3:07 PM ET

We are so honored to make it on your list! Be sure to stop by when you come to D.C. too! =)

Ben 08.13.08 | 4:49 PM ET

In her poem “Blandeur,” she expresses a desire to “even out Earth’s rondure, flatten Eiger, blanden the Grand Canyon.” If she was being sincere, I’d suggest visiting Flatlands, Brooklyn, a place that also includes the Wyckoff House, the oldest building in New York.

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.