Australia is preparing to appoint its first poet laureate. To shed light on what this role entails, we spoke with Simon Armitage, the current UK poet laureate.
Armitage, 61, has used his tenure to address major events through poetry. His work includes 25 official poems reflecting significant occasions such as the pandemic, a platinum jubilee, royal deaths, and a coronation.
One key benefit of the laureate position is the chance to reach audiences who might not typically engage with poetry. Armitage’s first poem as laureate, “Conquistadors,” marked the 1969 Moon landing. His latest work, “Polaris,” addresses climate change. Armitage reveals his process: “I’ve always liked the name Elizabeth. It struck me that she likely heard very few people use her actual name due to the many honorifics and family nicknames.”
In his poem “Polaris,” inspired by his July 2023 Arctic visit, Armitage explores climate change’s impact. He describes the scene: “Police are hunting high and low for the thief who stole the winter snow. It’s beautiful yet upsetting and terrifying because everything is melting away… You can hear it, drip, drip, drip.”
Armitage’s background includes studying geography at university and working as a probation officer, following in his father’s footsteps. He comments on the social implications of his work: “In the UK, people often judge you based on how you speak, your geographical background, and your class. I believe that speaking, especially using vowels, can be a political act.”