In Worcester, poetry is more than an art form—it’s a living, breathing force that captures the soul of the city. At the helm of this creative energy are two extraordinary artists: Poet Laureate Oliver de la Paz (2022-2025) and Youth Poet Laureate Serenity Jackson (2023-2025). These visionary voices don’t just write poems; they build bridges between generations, spark conversations across cultures, and turn everyday language into powerful acts of community-making. In celebration of National Poetry Month, we invite you to journey with us into the minds and hearts of Worcester’s poetic leaders as they reflect on their personal paths, creative influences, and the deeper meaning of public poetry in today’s world.
Oliver de la Paz
Poet Laureate (2022-2025)
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be named Poet Laureate, or to any emerging poets looking to make a significant impact with their work?
My advice would be to think about where you could provide the most push using your platform. For me, I saw that there were a number of organizations that had been in place in Worcester for a long time and, rather than creating new programming which might cause a lot of overlap in events, work collaboratively with these organizations.
Were there any specific moments or experiences during your time as poet laureate that deeply impacted your work or personal growth?
My favorite moments were when I got to experience the vibrancy of Worcester’s youthful and exuberant poetry community. I had the delight in serving as judge for Poetry Out Loud on several occasions, as well as a marvelous Teen Spoken Word Competition, where I had the opportunity to hear incredible young poets perform their new creations before an audience. All of these events showed me how alive and how essential poetry is for our city’s identity.
Has serving as Poet Laureate influenced your teaching or your students’ perceptions of poetry?
For sure. I’m more able and apt to recognize the broad array of styles, platforms, questions, and concerns that my students have with the world, and I’m also able to make many more recommendations and suggestions including YouTube clips, TikTok videos, and performers from all around New England.
Who are some poets (or other writers/artists) who have influenced your style or approach to poetry
My early influence was the poet Li-Young Lee who is an immigrant Asian American poet writing about exile and love. His work was emotional for me and spoke to my own sense of self and my own family’s story. Later, I was influenced by Larry Levis, a poet who often wrote about his own life and his own sense of place which resembled my own small hometown upbringing.
How does being Poet Laureate shape your connection with other poets and writers in our community?
Part of the joys of becoming the Poet Laureate is getting to meet other poets in the community and seeing what it is that they’re interested in, who they are reading, and what sorts of outreach and community advocacy they are doing. Almost all of the poets of Worcester are actively doing things to support their community, and it’s been a deep honor getting to know their work.
What do you think your cultural impact is as a Poet Laureate?
I hope that my impact is as someone who was able to form some bridges and a scaffold of a program or two. I acknowledge that there’s never enough time, but there are certainly plenty of new connections that I was able to meet. In the long run, I hope that my cultural impact is that of bringing some recognition from people outside of the arts community that poetry is vital and essential and should be thought of as an art that is just as powerful as murals, recitals, and exhibitions. The power of the poem is its portability and in the ways that it is able to instantaneously create an emotional response through simple and astonishing acts of formulating new sentences that open up possibility.
Serenity Jackson
Youth Poet Laureate (2023-2025)
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to be named Youth Poet Laureate, or to any emerging poets looking to make a significant impact with their work?
If I had to give the next Youth Poet Laureate advice, I would tell them to manage your time wisely! Life gets extremely busy, and you need to prioritize.
How did you feel during your first performance as Youth Poet Laureate? How do you feel now after a year?
When I first became Youth Poet Laureate, I was extremely nervous and filled with doubt and insecurity about my pieces. Now that it is a year later, I feel confident and prepared and love presenting my work.
What’s the difference in performing as rapper Lil Rennie vs YPL Serenity Jackson?
The difference in performing as rapper Lil Rennie vs YPL Serenity Jackson is when I perform as a rapper, it is driven by the beat and rhythm, and my lyrics just flow along with my dance moves. It is usually for a more relaxed audience.
When I perform as a poet, it is usually for important events and causes. It’s often a more intimate experience, where I get to use my voice to invite the audience to lean in, reflect, and sit with the imagery and meaning.
Which one of your poems/performances are you most proud of?
One of the performances I am most proud as a rapper is my performance at the Apollo Theater in New York City. The poem I am most proud of is the piece I wrote for the Stand Against Racism Community Breakfast at Polar Park.
What is one of the most important things you’ve learned as a performer since being a Youth Poet Laureate?
The most important thing I’ve learned as a performer is to be confident, be yourself no matter what, and allow people to feel the energy you create.
How can other young people be involved in the community and Worcester’s creative scene?
Young people can be involved in the community by showing up, getting inspired, staying alert on social media, and attending different community clubs.
What has been your favorite event you have performed at as a Youth Poet Laureate so far?
My favorite event I have performed at as a Youth Poet Laureate so far was the mayoral inauguration. Performing at this event was a powerful reminder of the role of the arts in civic life. It’s more than just a performance—it’s a moment of reflection, unity, and vision. The audience’s support was deeply moving—many expressed how the poem brought a personal and heartfelt dimension to the event.
Who are some poets (or other writers/artists) who have influenced your style or approach to poetry?
My passion for poetry started in my 8th grade English class. My teacher Mrs. Trotto encouraged me to perform and share my poetry. I enjoyed her style of teaching poetry through engaging activities and prompts. She encouraged me to write more and find different ways to be creative with poetry. An artist that inspires me as a hip-hop rap artist is Joyner Lucas. I love his writing style and storytelling approach in his rap songs.
As Oliver and Serenity’s terms near an end, we honor their powerful contributions to the city’s cultural life—amplifying local voices, bringing poetry into public spaces, and reminding us of the beauty found in everyday language. To learn more about their work visit the Adult Poet Laureate and Youth Poet Laureate Facebook pages. To book a future engagement, visit Worcester Poet Laureate Programs. Let’s continue to celebrate and support the poets who help us see our city through their eyes, their voice, their experience.
