LAKE COUNTY — Russell Reza-?Khaliq Gonzaga, a member of the Harbin Hot Springs community, was introduced on Sunday as Lake County”s next poet laureate.
“All praise is due to the divine,” Gonzaga said, sharing his belief as an Islamic dervish.
A reading held Sunday at the Lake County Arts Council”s Main Street Gallery offered listeners an opportunity to meet Gonzaga and two other finalists, Elaine Watt and Michelle Berger. The event was broadcast live on KPFZ 88.1 FM.
Gonzaga, Watt and Berger were among eight original applicants for the office of poet laureate. Each of the three finalists was invited to read their poems during Sunday”s celebration.
“I”m happy to be passing the baton,” said Mary McMillan, Lake County”s current poet laureate.
Mary McMillan was joined in deliberations by two of her successors, Sandra Wade and Carolyn Wing Greenlee. “It was a very varied choice,” Greenlee said. “It was not an easy choice. We deliberated after the interviews and after the readings because they were so diverse.” She urged those poets who were not selected, to continue practicing their craft.
McMillan presented bouquets to Berger and Watt, introducing them as second and first runner-up respectively. To Gonzaga, she offered a single rose “because you have been singled out.”
Gonzaga facilitates a weekly writers” workshop at Harbin Hot Springs near Middletown. “Harbin has become a community of artists,” Gonzaga said. “I”m proud to be part of this community of creative individuals.”
Gonzaga moved to Lake County four years ago from San Francisco, where he taught poetry and took part in slam poetry events. He said he hopes to connect with people in Lake County, especially with youth. “If you are writers, mentor them,” he said. “Even if you are not writers, mentor them. They need it.”
The Lake County Board of Supervisors will formally appoint Gonzaga to a two-year term in the office of Lake County Poet Laureate.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at ObserverAmerican@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 39.
