A local poet born and raised in the borough was sworn in Tuesday as the new Queens Poet Laureate.
Award-winning poet and author of three poetry books, Maria Lisella, read one of her works at her installation ceremony at Queens Borough Hall Tuesday. Borough President Melinda Katz administered the oath.
Laureates are selected for a three-year term by a panel of area poetry professionals. Officials say the position is important to promote poetry and literacy across the borough.
Lisella said she hopes to use the position to share her poetry with a wider audience.
"It's kind of, I feel, very rooted in Queens,” Lisella said. “I'd like to kind of have Queens get a bit more respect in the sense of the kind of culture that it contributes to New York City and America at large."
The Queens Poet Laureate was established in 1997. Lisella is the sixth poet to hold the post.