Star Coulbrooke’s term extended as Logan poet laureate

By Mark Rosa

On Nov. 3 Star Coulbrooke, stood in her 20th appearance as poet laureate of Logan before the Logan Municipal Council to recite a few lines written by her friend and mentor, the late Ken Brewer. Coulbrooke, Logan’s first poet laureate, recently received a fine arts grant from Logan City which was matched by Utah State University’s Department of English that allowed her to extend her term as poet laureate one calendar year.

According to Coulbrooke, who is also the director of USU’s writing center, her job description as poet laureate is to share and spread poetry in Cache Valley by opening city council meetings, visiting schools and making other appearances with the intent to bring poetry to valley residents.

During the meeting, Councilwoman Jeanie Simmonds said of Coulbrooke, “She has made poetry accessible to anyone who has any interest in having it be so.”

Coulbrooke also organizes poetry walkabouts and founded Helicon West, a bi-monthly platform for poets and amateurs to perform their work.

“What really matters to me as poet laureate is the idea that anyone can write poetic lines,” said Coulbrooke. “They don’t even realize when they’re speaking that they’re saying something highly poetic.”

Coulbrooke encourages everyone to use words to release emotionally and share those words with others.

“She brings an enthusiasm and an expertise to each and every event,” Simmonds said. “She has introduced poetry to young people, middle-aged people and old people and she just has a great idea of how to engage people in writing poetry and experiencing poetry.”