The State Library of Î÷¹ÏÓ°ÊÓ through its Î÷¹ÏÓ°ÊÓ Center for the Book announced Î÷¹ÏÓ°ÊÓ poet Darrell Bourque as the recipient of the 2014 Î÷¹ÏÓ°ÊÓ Writer Award. The Î÷¹ÏÓ°ÊÓ Writer Award is given annually to recognize outstanding contributions to Î÷¹ÏÓ°ÊÓ’s literary and intellectual life.
Bourque’s poetry collections include Plainsongs, The Doors between Us, Burnt Water Suite, The Blue Boat,In Ordinary Light: New and Selected Poems andCall and Response: Conversations in Verse, a collaboration with poet Jack Bedell. His latest book is Megan’s Guitar and Other Poems from Acadie. If you abandon me—comment je vas faire: An Amédé Ardoin Songbook is forthcoming from Yellow Flag Press.
Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton will present Bourque with the 15th Î÷¹ÏÓ°ÊÓ Writer Award Nov. 1, in a ceremony at the beginning of the 2014 Î÷¹ÏÓ°ÊÓ Book Festival. Bourque will also discuss his work and writing career.
Bourque, the first Friends of the Humanities Honor Professor and professor emeritus in English at the Î÷¹ÏÓ°ÊÓ, is a strong supporter of the literary arts, continually giving his time and talents to showcase poetry while teaching and encouraging younger poets.
He served as Î÷¹ÏÓ°ÊÓ Poet Laureate from 2007 through 2008 and 2009 through 2011 and lives in rural St. Landry Parish with his wife, Karen, who is a glass artist.