Elizabeth Lowney: Ready For My Inspiring Poetry Tenure

One of my favorite parts about poetry is how I can write about anything in the whole world. Whether that be a tiny grain of sand or the entire universe, there are endless amounts of inspiration and topics. I find poetry especially beautiful because poets can write about their personal interests and then find a connection to others. As we start a new school year, I am excited to continue on my journey of making an impact on Westwood through poetry.
 
I am very grateful to the Westwood Library Selection Committee composed of Lizzy McGovern, Library Director, Maria Ryan, Library Trustee, and Lynne Viti, Westwood Poet Laureate. I am also grateful to the Westwood Select Board for appointing me to the position. My term began on June 1 of this year and continues through May 2025. So far, I have had the opportunity to read two of my poems at the Cambridge River Arts Festival in June alongside Lynne Viti and Youth Poet Laureate Emerita Lucie Sechler. The poetry tent at the festival featured Poet Laureates from Cambridge, Malden, Somerville, Medford, San Francisco, Boston, and Lexington. It was a tremendous opportunity to connect with other poets and represent our small town of Westwood to a wider community of artists and poetry fans.  I was also honored to participate in this year’s Westwood Day festivities.
 
Some of my goals as the Youth Poet Laureate include participating in poetry workshops with fellow young writers and presenting a poetry share at the Senior Center. I look forward to speaking at events such as “Conversations with other Poet Laureates” at Brockton Public Library, and Westwood’s annual Memorial Day ceremony. 
 
I hope to use my voice to help empower and inspire people of all ages in Westwood to read more poetry. I urge readers to visit the Westwood Public Library Poet Laureates Website, at bit.ly/wwpoetlaureate. I am ready to share poetry with our community and to bring our town closer together — one word at a time.