Cupertino Poet Laureate Hosts First Poetry Reading

The Cupertino Poet Laureate program held its first-ever event Saturday morning at the city’s Civic Center Plaza with First Words, which featured poetry readings from several poets from the local community.

The event drew more than 40 people, and was hosted by the city’s newly installed Poet Laureate David Denny, the city’s first-ever to hold that post.

Participants in the poetry reading included Denny, poetry teacher Jennifer Swanton Brown, retired Foothill College Professor Jack Hasling, Cupertino poet and businessman Karl Kadie, Poet Laureate Selection Committee Chairman Ron Miller, retired educator Ann Muto, and poetry youth instructor Laura Oliver.

According to Miller, who has also served on the city’s Library Commission, the event was a big success for the group’s first event, which reflects the strong leadership and coordination by Denny.

“The event went off very well in my humble opinion,” said Miller. “The Poet Laureate selection committee is very pleased that Dave is the first poet laureate of Cupertino. He has easy command of the language and the high quality of his poetry make him the best choice.”

Denny, who teaches English at De Anza College, said he is happy to be selected as the city’s first poet laureate and the group is planning to host a series of poetry events that will include educational events with the youth, senior citizens and adults.

“It was really an honor to be selected,” said Denny. “I know the committee interviewed a lot of qualified people and it was great to make it to the top of the heap this time. It’s kind of fun being the first one.”

Denny has been publishing poetry in literary magazines and journals for 30 years. He began writing poetry in high school when he got his first poem published in his school’s senior yearbook, and then went on to double major in theater arts and English literature in college at California State University-Long Beach.

He was installed as Poet Laureate on Sept. 24 by the mayor and city council. He has been a De Anza resident for 25 years recently will be releasing a book in January through Finish Line Press titled, "The Plebeian On The Front Porch."