Here’s a challenge. Write a better poem about Eureka than this one:

they came for gold

but found rain and stayed anyway

they built homes from redwood bones burned their prayers into the sawdust and left ghosts in every barstool

the money dried up the mills fell silent and now we live in the spaces they left behind

You think you got it? Now top this one!

Eureka

A neon sign hums above an empty street.
Someone strums a guitar on a splintered step.

The harbor smells of diesel and salt.
A stray dog noses at last night’s trash.

Laughter drifts from a bar with no name. A wave breaks, and no one looks up.

You still think you’re better? Then go take on the 100-cycle free verse epic known as “THE EUREKIAD,” which ChatGPT also wrote for us yesterday, and of which one reviewer said: “I really enjoyed them … could imagine them written in chalk in unexpected places around town.”

I’ll wait.

All right — so you must think you’re pretty good at this poetry business. Then why have you not nominated yourself to be Eureka’s next poet laureate, or its next youth poet laureate? They’ve extended the application deadline to March 7, because not enough of you word wranglers have thrown your names in.

Eureka’s poet laureate program is a cool thing. Here’s a press release from the City of Eureka/Ink People Center for the Arts that explains it all:

Informational poster. Click to enlarge.

January 21, 2025 (Eureka, Calif.) - The City of Eureka, in partnership with Ink People Center for the Arts is excited to announce that Eureka Poet Laureate Program applications are being accepted.

Poetry invites us to open our senses to the experience of place, self, and other. The City of Eureka’s Poet Laureate Program brings new people and perspectives into visibility and generates powerful language for expressing the experience of “being here.”

This year a panel of poets, including at least one youth member, will select up to two youth poet laureates and an adult poet laureate. Once selected, these poets will serve as poetry ambassadors to the City of Eureka for a two-year period. To be eligible, poets must live or have a writing studio within the city limits of Eureka, California, or within one mile of Eureka; or must be meaningfully connected to Eureka.

The purpose of the Poet Laureate pilot program is to:

• Serve as a creative ambassador for Eureka
• Celebrate the literary arts in Eureka and beyond
• Be a creative voice for the Eureka Cultural Arts District and the surrounding area
• Collaborate with the broader arts community
• Provide mentorship to youth literary artists

Adult Poet Laureate Information

The Eureka Poet Laureate will:

• Write at least one poem reflecting life in Eureka
• Read an original poem at two Eureka City Council meetings
• Plan and implement at least one poetry-related project in the community
• Meet with the youth poet laureate(s) at least twice to share poetry and experiences as a writer
• Serve as a poetry ambassador for at least three Eureka arts and culture events each year
• Exchange with other poet laureates when possible

The Poet Laureate will receive:

• A $1000 stipend (distributed in two annual $500 payments)
• Public acknowledgment through a press release and mention on the city website, social media channels, and city newsletter
• Nomination for the California Poet Laureate Program (if open for nominations)

Youth Poet Laureate Information

The Youth Poet Laureate will:

• Write one original poem reflecting life in Eureka
• Participate in a poetry reading related to Eureka at least once in each year
• Present one poem at a city council meeting
• Be an ambassador for poetry at Eureka events when possible
• Meet with the adult Poet Laureate at least twice to share poetry and experiences as a writer
• Exchange with other poet laureates when the possibility allows

The Youth Poet Laureate(s) will receive:

• A $300 stipend (distributed in two annual $150 payments)
• Public acknowledgment through a press release and mention on the city website, social media channels, and newsletter

Poet Laureate Program application process:

Prospective Poet Laureate will fill out the submission form and will submit three poetry samples and a community project proposal through Submittable. Applications are due by Friday, February 28 March 7 at 11:59 pm. Decisions will be made by March 20, with a public announcement in early April to coincide with National Poetry Month.

*If you need support with the application process and/or accommodations for disabilities, please write Leslie@inkpeople.org

The Eureka Poet Laureate Program is a project of the City of Eureka.

The Ink People staffs and manages this program as a contribution to the arts and culture community.

Link to the application portal

For questions regarding the Eureka Poet Laureate Program, contact Sarah West, Economic Development Project Manager, phone: (707)441-4178, email: swest@eurekaca.gov.