Arthur Sze Appointed to Serve a Second Term as U.S. Poet Laureate

This National Poetry Month, the Library of Congress has appointed Arthur Sze to serve a second term as the nation’s 25th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry for 2026–2027. “Arthur Sze is opening the world of poetry by giving us a unique view of his process of writing and translating poetry—and challenging students and the public to try writing and translating poetry as well,” said Acting Librarian of Congress Robert Randolph Newlen. “The Library of Congress is proud to reappoint him as our nation’s 25th Poet Laureate.”

Sze, who lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was named poet laureate in September 2025 and began working to expand appreciation of poetry through his focus on translating poetry originally written in languages other than English. His newest book, Transient Worlds: On Translating Poetry, is a personal guide to poetry in translation, featuring translations from thirteen languages. The book is published by Copper Canyon Press in association with the Library of Congress.

In his second term, Sze is crafting his signature project, “Words Bridging Worlds,” and will embark on a U.S. tour to host public events, including readings, moderated discussions, and workshops focused on poetry and translation. Queens College of the City of New York is partnering with Sze to support the tour’s workshops through the college’s MFA program in creative writing and literary translation.

“[Transient Worlds] is a vehicle to widen and deepen the appreciation of poetry through the lens of poetry in translation,” said Sze, “and, for my second term, 2026-2027, I am excited to embark on taking my signature project, ‘Words Bridging Worlds,’ to multiple cities to celebrate poetry and poetry in translation, and where people can use the book to try translating poems from another language into English.”

Sze’s first term will officially conclude on April 30 when he will return to the Library for a rare, special conversation with the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Simon Armitage, on the art and process of writing and translating poetry. For more information about Sze’s Laureateship, please contact Chief of Media Relations Brett Zongker at bzongker@loc.gov; to request a review copy of Transient Worlds or more information about the book, please contact Communications & Publicity Assistant Elizabeth Brueggemann at communications@coppercanyonpress.org