61 Comments

People subscribe because we want to know about you, your events, and success. And also I think you need at least a "I'm a fucking poet laureate" cake or something!

Expand full comment

Cake! Yes!

Expand full comment

If you ever come through Central Washington on I-90 I'll bake a cake for you. I even have a porch we can sit on to regard the landscape as we eat.

Expand full comment

Careful, I may take you up on that. 🍰

Expand full comment

It would be my honor!

Expand full comment

I second the cake!!!

Expand full comment

So jealous that you have a chair that once belonged to the amazing James Welch! Clearly, it is where it now belongs. Congratulations on being poet laureate.

Expand full comment

It's really comfy too. 😀

Expand full comment

Congratulations. James Welch is a poet I taught to my college American Literature college students. Now I will add your work to my curriculum. It is a revelation to read your blog . You deserve the honor of the laureate.

Expand full comment

💚

Expand full comment

I’m so thrilled for all the good stuff coming your way. You inspire me everyday to appreciate nature and to speak truth when I can. ❤️

Expand full comment

Thank you, Pamela.

Expand full comment

I LOVE that picture. Thank you for the behind-the-scenes. The gym medicine shines through and items from a beloved mentor are the jam. Also! Regarding the temptation to “downplay this looming experience as poet laureate…” just a friendly reminder that your win is a win for all of us, and your victories make the rest of us stronger. Happiness is contagious and your success in this endeavor makes those who love you proud. Go on and shine - you are doing it for us all ✨🦗☀️

Expand full comment

Kara, I love this. Thank you! 💚

Expand full comment

So grateful for both your loudmouthery and your poetry. I’m imagining your big chair growing to immense sizes and you pulling it up to tables, taking up space, then floating downstream on it, now it’s a ship, students and parrots and eagles and nighthawks can clamber aboard for a while and then swim away leaving you alone for a spell, able to manage the rapids perfectly on your big quiet inflatable chair. I’m so happy for you & I hope it’s a little like that.

Expand full comment

Grateful for you, Hannah!

Expand full comment

I'm just overall impressed -- always have been. And given that I live in southern California, reading you -- the settings you describe, etc. -- well, it's like I get to visit another planet!

Expand full comment

❤️

Expand full comment

This is all heartening, especially your presence at the Métis Memorial Unveiling on September 1. Grateful for all you've written and the photographs you've shared over the year and a half I've been reading here. Moved by the photo of you in James Welch's chair, now your chair.

Expand full comment

Miigwech! 💚

Expand full comment

JW's chair. Its whereabouts now, it pleases me to say, is pretty much where I think is a damn good place to be! Yes.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Jim!

Expand full comment

I don’t know if it’s allowed but I just forwarded your post to my daughter who teaches literature and poetry to high school students in Frenchtown; also ordered her a copy of your first book of poetry (sorry, I keep forgetting the title so will have to get my own). She is excited about using your work when she is teaching her poetry section this year.

Expand full comment

It's totally allowed. And tell your daughter I would love to visit her class!

Expand full comment

Thanks; she is hoping to get in touch with you, or maybe she already has. Her name is Kari Mazzola.

Expand full comment

I'll keep an eye open for her.

Expand full comment

You are indeed a great poet and teacher! Glad to have studied with you!

Expand full comment

Tammy! 💚

Expand full comment

Very cool! I suppose I might have to order a book or two so I can understand what all the fuss is about. 😁

Expand full comment

So much fuss.... 🤯

Expand full comment

How wonderful that you’ve been honored in this way. The people of Montana are lucky to celebrate poetry with you.

Expand full comment

Miigwech, Juilie!

Expand full comment

I’ve been sharing your good news with everyone I know in Flathead Count, Chris…we’re excited to see you here at our writers conference early October.

Expand full comment

I'm looking forward to getting up there!

Expand full comment

So, being named Poet Laureate, getting the nice story/photo (yeah, it's not bad at all) in the Missoulian, and all the associated acknowledgment, yada, yada, yada, it's a well and good enough. But sitting in James Welch's chair? In your office? Whenever you want? Now that's really something. (it could only be better with cake!). But, seriously, again, well deserved recognition.

Expand full comment

It really is something, Frank! I appreciate you seeing the forest for the trees, my brother! 😂

Expand full comment

Congratulations Chris! Doesn't Gianforte know poetry is a subversive activity?!

Expand full comment

He probably thinks it's poe tree and wants it logged.

Expand full comment

hahaha

Expand full comment