New Bern writer Michelle G. Flye named the 2021 Heart of the Pamlico Poet Laureate.
Photo Credit: Sam Love
When the usual qualities of Eastern North Carolina come to mind, many people don’t automatically think of poetry. But, since 2018, a dedicated group of local writers has made it their mission not only to promote the poetic arts but also to recognize and honor those North Carolinians who create it.
The Pamlico Writers’ Group started in 1970, and over the years has become an important resource for area writers, offering peer support and critique services to experienced and novice writers alike at their bi-monthly meetings. Two years ago, the group began a new initiative to honor its founder, poet Jerry Cuthrell — a poetry competition to award the Poet Laureate title.
“The Heart of the Pamlico Poet Laureate serves as the ambassador of Eastern North Carolina’s vibrant literary life, promoting its poetic community, and celebrating the written word in North Carolina,” said Eileen Lettick, chair of the poet laureate search committee. “Candidates compete before a panel of three judges and a small live audience for the title and a cash award.”
Winner Michelle Flye published her first poetry booklet Times and Ties in the summer of 2019. In November 2020, she authored Hourglass, a graphic novel, and Unsung: A Collection of Illustrated Poetry in April 2021. She is the publisher and editor of Next Chapter Literary Magazine and the owner of The Next Chapter Books & Art in New Bern. She teaches poetry workshops to elementary students, publishes poetry on her blog at http://michellegflye.com and plans to release her new poetry collection 100 Warm Days of Haiku in the very near future.
For Flye, winning the honor wasn’t just about the recognition, it was the validation of a new direction in her creative life. “Yesterday I achieved a dream. I am now the Heart of the Pamlico Poet Laureate. I applied for the position in 2020 but the award was held off due to covid. As it turned out, that was a blessing for me. It allowed me to become more serious about my poetry. It allowed me to accept that I am a poet.”
Flye follows her heart in her poetry, relying on intuition and instinct to get the words and the rhythm right. She wants to share that commitment to the poetic art form with others. “As Heart of the Pamlico Poet Laureate, I’m hoping to spread the word about poetry and its value as an art form. I will do this with pride because I am a poet. I will do this with humility because I am part of a community with so much to say to the world. And I will do it with love because that is what I want to feel coming back to me.”
For more information about Pamlico Writers’ Group or their Poet Laureate program please visit https://thepamlicowriters.org/ or contact the group’s chairperson Sherri Hollister at pwgcritique.group@gmail.com.