Branford’s first Poet Laureate, Judith Liebmann, is understandably thrilled with the results of an inspirational day she shared with some 45 Branford High School students and teachers on Nov. 15. The group participated in a Branford Poet Laureate field trip and poetry workshop, with historic Branford Center Cemetery playing a central role in prompting some poetic inspiration.

The BHS group started the morning with a walk to the town center from the nearby high school. Their field trip included a “...thoughtful meander through the cemetery grounds” on Montowese Street, Liebmann said.

Tom Brockett, President of the Center Cemetery board, guided the group through some of the historic monuments and more contemporary grave sites; while Liebmann said she hoped the students’ explorations provided an opportunity to “...meditate, react, and allow yourself to follow wherever your feelings and train of thought lead you.”

Notes prepared for the students shared more details on the nearly 14-acre Branford Center Cemetery, which was founded in 1645 and will be celebrating its 380th anniversary in 2025. Located in the heart of Branford’s historic district, Center Cemetery is also Branford’s first burial ground for the town’s English Settlers.

Following a walk across the Branford Green, the group convened at the James Blackstone Memorial Library auditorium for lunch, where they heard comments from First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove. The Town of Branford, in cooperation with the Trustees of the Blackstone Library, established the office of Poet Laureate in January 2024.

After the second of two short poetry workshops with Liebmann, the day-long event culiminated with students and teachers drafting their poems and sharing their work with one another.

“Every student and every teacher was able to write a poem. And much to their own surprise, they all found the courage to read them out loud in the final workshop at Blackstone,” said Liebmann. “Many of these poems were very moving, and almost all showed how closely they had paid attention - to the unique environment as inspiration, and to the workshop guidance to supply them with the poetic toolbox to better express themselves.”

Liebmann said the inspiring event was resounding success.

“For me this event represents exactly the kind of community support for, and participation in, the experiences and rewards of poetic expression that I was hoping to achieve as Poet Laureate,” said Liebmann.

Next spring, during a “Poets Among Us” event at the Branford Arts & Cultural Alliance gallery (set for May 17), some of the students and teachers will read their poems; along with members of Liebmann’s other Poet Laureate citizen workshops.

Liebmann is also hoping to earn a grant to publish an anthology of poems from her Poet Laureate workshops, also to be called “The Poets Among Us”.

For more information, Liebmann can be contacted via email at poetlaureate@branford-ct.gov.