Five questions for California Poet Laureate Dana Gioia

Dana Gioia is the current California Poet Laureate, as well as the former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. The internationally acclaimed writer has just published his fifth full-length book of poetry, “99 Poems: New and Selected.”

He is traversing the state hosting readings while continuing to develop his favored program “Poetry Out Loud,” with the ambitious goal of reaching all 58 of California’s counties. On top of these activities, he continues as a professor at the University of Southern California.

1. How is it that you became a poet?

I’ve been a writer since high school. When I was 19 or 20 years old, I decided to be a poet, but I had to make a living, as well. I worked in business. I was a freelance writer. I led the National Endowment for the Arts. I’ve always had a day job, as I needed a job to support my poetry. I’m always writing. I’m a Californian, and have been a resident of Sonoma County since 1975, when my parents moved there. Even a successful poet finds it challenging to break even. I’ve worked both in business and with the government. Right now I teach three classes in the fall semester at USC. I teach music, literature and arts leadership, which is a graduate class. The largest undergraduate class in the humanities is my class, “The Art of Poetry: How to read and appreciate poetry.” USC created a chair for me with the expectation that I would teach only graduate classes, but I want to teach other people to enjoy poetry that they can carry through the rest of their lives. I’m bringing poetry to people who don’t normally get it.

2. You participate regularly in local events. Why?

I live in the unincorporated area of Sonoma County. I met (retired librarian) Bo Simons at a reading at the Healdsburg Regional Library when he was head librarian. We’ve done some events together. This is my home crowd.

3. What do you hope to achieve?

I hope to inspire a Poetry Out Loud at Healdsburg High School. Poetry Out Loud is performance and recitation and poetry in one.

4. What are the benefits of reading in person?

It’s being with people face-to-face. It’s important to civic life.

5. Offer me your thoughts about being California’s Poet Laureate.

When you take a public office, you have to do it in good faith that you’re committed to the project. I try not to turn down invitations. My stipend will be used on gas, oil and tires. I’ll be staying in a lot of towns I have never before seen. Traveling across California is like traveling to different countries because of its diversity.

Dana Gioia recently read at the Healdsburg SHED, as part of the Healdsburg Literary Guild’s Luminaries series. The event also showcased Poetry Out Loud winner Melissa Lozano, a Rancho Cotati senior, and Healdsburg youth musician and writer Lucy Carroll.