Robert Hass and Philip Schultz are the 2008 recipients of the Pulitzer in Poetry. Looking backwards in Pulitzer history, this is the first time that two Poets have been awarded, and perhaps the first time ever that two writers were chosen in the same category ever. (If someone can disclaim this please let me know.)

Which leaves me to an interesting thought. Why? Does the world somehow need, value or appreciate poetry now more than ever? Has the condition of what has been going on politically, socio economically, environmentally, domestically - any and all of the above - has this lead to a desperation to truly understand the fundamentals of the human heart, the human psyche, that poetry can bring forth? I’d like to believe, that yes, this is why. The world needs poetry more than ever. An innate characteristic of poetry has always been one of humanity. There is distinctly a natural connective tissue with the Poet and the world that is undeniably linked. This could be said of all writers, though I’d like to think this is naturally something that the Poet instills within their craft automatically. This of course, opens up room for a discussion over Truth and Honesty in poetics - something I believe with all my heart separates most good poetry from bad poetry.

Yet, let’s look at the evidence behind this sudden recognition of two accomplished Poets, two very distinguished Poets who have been given such a high honor as a Pulitzer Award. Thematically there are various levels to both collections, though if one were to systematically break down the interior themes of both collections one may uncover the root of why there is an undeniable need to recognize these two works. This root, simply and irrevocably could be determined as such: reverence. Not so much for the ideas, ideologies, confirmations, assertions or facts or fiction, instead, there is this amazing reverence in being human and being able to accept memory, loss and struggle of perception.

Right now, I think the human condition is fragile. Right now I think poetry can be a vehicle for social change. Right now I believe that our world needs the discovery and unearthing that poetry can give each of us individually. There is something about the translation of poetry internally that breaks down the complexities and even constructs everything we thought or felt was real.

Hass and Schultz have each won $10,000 in recognition for their passion and commitment, and in turn perhaps have elevated the importance and highlighted the human need for poetry.