Q

George Elliott Clarke says poetry, 'the soul of the arts', can't die

Canada’s Parliamentary Poet Laureate George Elliott Clarke is on a mission to make his role relevant to the average Canadian.
George Elliot Clarke isn't worried about the death of poetry. He sees it as central to all other arts forms. (Fabiola Carletti/CBC)

George Elliott Clarke is on a mission. Canada's recently appointed Parliamentary Poet Laureate wants to make his role relevant to more Canadians — from those tweeting in Toronto to those navigating the far north. 

The Nova Scotia native joins Shad in studio q to share why he's on the job "every minute, every second, every millisecond", how he plans to become the people's poet, and why he doesn't worry about the death of his craft. 

"Poetry is the cheapest art. All you need is your brain," he says. "Poetry is the soul of the arts."  

New poet laureate George Elliot Clarke makes a passionate case for poetry's bright future. (Fabiola Carletti/CBC)