Despite being Indiana's poet laureate and a prolific writer, Curtis Crisler has been so busy this past year he has lacked time to put pen to paper. An author of 13 books-with plans for at least five more-the Purdue University Fort Wayne professor in the Department of English was doing such a good job traveling and conducting readings across the state that the Indiana Arts Commission has extended his tenure for this prestigious honor

Crisler has been named Indiana Poet Laureate for a second term, a full year before his first stint is scheduled to end. That suits Crisler just fine. He realized a while back he's not fulfilled all of his goals and needs another two-year term, which will end at the start of 2028. There are still people to meet, places to see, schoolchildren to speak to, libraries to visit, and unique opportunities to share poetry.

"I find myself in a place where I seem to be focusing on the survival of the art form by adhering to the call of poet laureate," Crisler said. "That includes providing ways for future poets to prosper, as well as establishing collaboration in Indiana venues that benefit our humanity and art."

Crisler is the eighth Hoosier named to the honorary position since it was established in 2005, but will be the second to serve more than three years if he completes his term. Joyce Brinkman was Indiana's poet laureate from July 2002 through June 2008.

"It's a considerable time commitment, so the earlier we could notify a poet laureate we are extending their term, the better it is for them-especially considering they have their own active poetry practice to maintain," said Miah Michaelsen, executive director of the Indiana Arts Commission. "We've appreciated how committed Curtis has been to ensuring all corners of the state have the opportunity to experience a visit from Indiana's poet laureate."

Former IPFW professor and Crisler mentor George Kalamaras served in the position in 2014 and 2015. After 32 years on the faculty, Kalamaras retired from PFW in 2022. Crisler graduated in 1999 with a degree in English creative writing, coming back to campus to teach in 2004.

Over the last year, Crisler has made more than 50 appearances for the Indiana Arts Commission, Indiana Humanities, and his own creation, the Indiana Chitlin Circuit, which gathers small groups of poets for performances, similar to an all-star band hosting a jam session, he said.

"I said, `Yes,' and then I thought, `What the heck are you doing?'" Crisler said with a laugh. "I just knew we weren't finished, and I still have ideas where to go."

That could include visiting a covered bridge, a historic Indianapolis theater, or even an open field. Poetry, Crisler said, goes everywhere.

Crisler is able to make his appearances and class schedule function thanks to help from Erica Anderson-Senter, a limited term lecturer, also an excellent poet who is developing her own skill and reputation. She helps set up all of his appearances, with shows already scheduled for the fall. Crisler said Anderson-Senter seems to know someone in just about any Indiana town with a large backyard capable of hosting a pop-up reading and barbecue.

Despite the busy schedule, Crisler prioritizes teaching his classes, though sometimes his subconscious overloads and he has to let things out by writing down ideas between questions.
"I was telling my students the other day that I have to compartmentalize," Crisler said. "All I can do right now is incubate and build things in my head. That's happening."

Usually, that makes the ensuing poems better when they are improved enough that they demand to be written down. Crisler said this past year has taught him to be more patient with himself and his writing, but also how much he's learning and loves collaboration with other poets. He also realizes more each day how he took the position to serve others, no matter the crowd size, providing audiences for other poets, but also being brave in his choices on what he says.

He has his voice, Crisler said, and sometimes what he says represents people who can't say what they need to-so he'll say it. Those topics may involve race, poverty, sexism, or stereotypical societal roles. As an example, a poem about a woman going through menopause has started some fascinating conversations. These appearances are also opportunities to introduce poetry to others, and for the writers to address what Hoosiers are all about.

The things he has learned the most have made him a better classroom leader, Crisler said, pushing him to encourage students to reach outside themselves for topics and audiences.

"It's made me more aware of how I teach and probably why I teach," Crisler said. "I'm more attuned to certain things than I was, and I'm seeing different things that come to me. I want to implement them into the classroom."