Edmonton poet Ahmed Ali reaches end of term as poet laureate

The end is near for Ahmed Ali, a.k.a. Knowmadic.

"It has been tremendously nourishing," Ali said reflecting on his two-year term as Edmonton's poet laureate.

"It's been a great experience. I've always been doing poetry, but to be valued and to be really supported because of a title that I've had was fantastic," said the34-year-old Somali-born artist.

• Ahmed 'Knowmadic' Ali named Edmonton poet laureate
• Edmonton poet laureate wants to make local art more accessible

Ali is the city's seventhpoet laureateover the last 14 years.

Poet laureates act asliterary ambassadors for the city andadvocate for the literary arts while participating in events in Edmonton and beyond.

The position comes with an annual$10,000honorarium.

Ali's replacement will be announced in a ceremony at city hall on June 26.

Ali is now hoping to finish his book, help get a local spoken word festival off the ground and continue to encourage all forms of poetry.

"Poetry is extremely subjective it can be whatever you want it to be," he said. "No one can define poetry for you, that is something you do for yourself.

"I do what I love so there's no anger, no resentment. I do it with full conviction because I'm happy."

• Quirky work: Glass blowing still an essential craft at University of Alberta
• Quirky work: Terrariums a growth business for couple with passion for plants
• Quirky work: Clock repairman still ticking along and relevant in the digital age

For more interesting jobs like bison wrangler, scientific glass blowers, and surf instructors in landlocked Alberta you can catch the latest episode of Our Edmonton called Quirky Work on Sunday at noon and Monday at 11 a.m. on CBC TV.