Are you an NC poet and can show it?

Gov. Pat McCrory’s selection of Valerie Macon of Fuquay-Varina to serve as North Carolina’s next poet laureate sparked a strong response – some of it in rhyme.

Critics say Macon, a state employee who does volunteer work for the homeless, is not qualified for the role because her body of work consists of only two-self published collections. Qualified or not, her choice has fulfilled one goal of the laureate’s role: It has stirred interest in the neglected art of poetry.

Several readers have weighed in on the issue with poems. You’re invited to do the same. Poems about the poet laureate are due by midnight Thursday, July 17. A selection will be featured in Sunday Forum. Submit your poem, 200 or fewer words, with POEM in the subject line to forum@newsobserver.com.

This story was originally published July 16, 2014 at 2:24 PM.