Mississauga's outgoing poet laureate reflects on his term
Ayomide Bayowa has served as the City of Mississauga's poet laureate for more than 2 years
For more than two years, Mississauga's poet laureate Ayomide Bayowa has been using his words in an effort to amplify the voices of his community.
"I want to be there for other people," said Bayowa, and "bring up other poets like myself."
The Nigerian-Canadian poet began his term as the city's fourth poet laureate in November 2021. His successor for the honorary position will be announced this April.
In his time in the role, Bayowa not only wrote and performed poetry, but also attended events like poetry slams, taught poetry in school, and engaged with as many residents as he could — both in person and through social media.
When asked what advice he could give to the incoming poet laureate, Bayowa stressed the importance of the position's ability to speak for all residents of the city.
"Poetry in this place comes in when you realize you actually need to make meaning and expression of what is going on around you," he said.
"You're a person of people. You're not just a person of yourself alone. You need to be ready to stand out for people."
