South Dakota Poet Laureate

The state Poet Laureate celebrates and promotes poetry reading and writing across South Dakota by initiating programs, projects, and activities that help accomplish these goals.

Poet Laureate candidates are self-nominated for this unpaid, honorary position and serve a four-year term. The Poetry Society Board selects a nominee from among these candidates to recommend to the governor’s office, who makes the appointment.

Watch this page for information about the next application period for Poet Laureate.

Bruce Roseland

2023 - 2027

Bruce Roseland is the 8th Poet Laureate of South Dakota. Roseland is a Prairie Poet whose poetry describes people, work and nature in modern rural life. He is a 4th generation rancher in Seneca, SD.

Roseland has published eight books of poetry and won four national awards. He is three-time President Emeritus of SDSPS and a SD Humanities Scholar.

Past Poet Laureates