The State Library of Ï㽶ӰÊÓ through its Ï㽶ӰÊÓ Center for the Book announced Ï㽶ӰÊÓ poet Darrell Bourque as the recipient of the 2014 Ï㽶ӰÊÓ Writer Award. The Ï㽶ӰÊÓ Writer Award is given annually to recognize outstanding contributions to Ï㽶ӰÊÓ’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 Ï㽶ӰÊÓ Writer Award Nov. 1, in a ceremony at the beginning of the 2014 Ï㽶ӰÊÓ 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 Ï㽶ӰÊÓ, 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 Ï㽶ӰÊÓ 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.