Poet Laureate program

J. Paul Holcomb is currently serving as Lewisville’s first Poet Laureate. As such, he will create original poetry to commemorate special occasions and deliver educational programs in the community. His first public reading of original work as Poet Laureate is expected to be for the dedication of Old Town Park Plaza later this year.

Holcomb, now a resident of Double Oak, lived for many years in Lewisville where he and his wife raised their family and were LHS Farmer parents. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Holcomb worked in the telecommunications industry for most of his career. He holds a B.A. in Mathematics from McMurry College (now University) in Abilene and did additional studies in English Literature at Syracuse University and the University of North Texas. He also holds a Masters of Applied Science in Computer Science from Southern Methodist University.

Holcomb has been a member of the Poetry Society of Texas since 1984 and served as president of the organization from 1999 until 2002. He was a founding member of the Denton Poets Assembly and has mentored many North Texas poets. He has published 235 of his poems to date, with his work appearing in The Texas Poetry Calendar, Windhover, Ilya’s Honey, Concho River Review and in Poetry Society of Texas prize-winning anthologies, among other outlets. He was the featured State Poet at the Austin International Poetry Festival in 2013.

Mr. Holcomb will serve a two-year term and will receive a $500 stipend for each year.

Duties of the Lewisville Poet Laureate include representing the City of Lewisville and the poetic arts through participation in poetry events and interviews and presenting poetry at no more than four events per year. These events may vary from year-to-year, but could include readings at scheduled City events and in local schools. Duties also include accepting invitations to present his/her poetry at community events or with community groups, in interviews with the media, and to submit works for publication on the City website and other outreach vehicles. The Poet Laureate will act as an advocate and resource for poetry and literary events in Lewisville.

J. Paul Holcomb composed an original poem to celebrate Lewisville’s 90th birthday, presenting the poem during the City Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 2. Click here to watch the YouTube video of Mr. Holcomb reading his poem.