This week on the Down East Journal, a conversation with the next North Carolina poet laureate Shelby Stephenson. We hear about his plans to bring a greater appreciation for reading and writing of poetry to the state. And, students with Craven Early College take their poetry from the classroom to the stage. We visit during an open mic night event in New Bern. The Down East Journal, Friday at noon on all of the PRE stations. And Saturday at noon on News and Ideas.