Poet Laureate

I've been waiting for news of the Minnesota Poet Laureate since Mom and I nominated Bob Bengtson. When I did a search for news this morning, I found the original bill introduced in the legislature last January, written in poem form.

H.F. No. 224, as introduced - 85th Legislative Session (2007-2008) Posted on Jan 18, 2007

1.1 A bill for an act

1.2 relating to the state; appointing a poet laureate; appropriating gift or grant money
1.3received; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 138.
1.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 Section 1. [138.99] POET LAUREATE.
1.6 Subdivision 1. Appointment.

1.7	The Gov' shall appoint a state poet laureate,
1.8	Who shall serve for a four-year term.
1.9	Because this appointment will always be great,
1.10	There's no need for the Senate to confirm.
1.11	In appointing a poet for the public good,
1.12	And to ensure there's no unjust omission,
1.13	The governor shall consider, if he would
1.14	Thoughts of the Humanities Commission.

1.15 Subd. 2. Removal.

1.16	The poet will be free to write rhyming lines,
1.17	With removal only for cause,
1.18	But we trust that the bard will promptly resign,
1.19	If the verse reads as badly as laws.

1.20 Subd. 3. Compensation.

1.21	'Twould be fair to provide some just recompense
1.22	As reward for the poet's tribulations,
1.23	But because at this time we haven't the cents
1.24	We're afraid there is no compensation.
1.25	But we ask as the poet travels the state,
1.26	And the people their ears they lend,
2.1	That our learned Commission take the position
2.2	To provide the poor poet a stipend.

2.3 Subd. 4. Gifts and grants.

2.4	To provide the support that needs to come
2.5	To support our new laureate,
2.6	Gifts and grants received of a generous sum,
2.7	We hereby appropriate.