Poet David Clewell apparently is seeking a second term as Missouri's poet laureate.

The Missouri governor's office recently announced that applications are due by Feb. 24 for the state's next poet in chief.

Wicky Sleight, president of the Missouri Center for the Book, said she does not know whether the laureate committee will consider keeping Clewell on for a second term or whether it will choose a new poet. She says that Clewell has been an excellent poet laureate and he would like to continue in the post.

The laureate committee recommends a poet after reviewing the applications. The governor makes the final decision. So far, the state has had two laureates, both white men. Walter Bargen of Ashland, Mo., was the first.

The five-member committee includes three people selected by the Missouri Center for the Book, which originally advocated for the laureate position. A press release from Gov. Jay Nixon's office said last week:

"Missouri has a long tradition of poets and authors whose words have moved and inspired generations of people around the world," Gov. Nixon said. "Through naming a poet laureate, we recognize how poetry has enriched our lives and hope to inspire the poets and authors of the future."

Here are the committee members:

•Dr. James Baumlin, a Professor of English at Missouri State University, who has published numerous books, essays and reviews;

•Dr. Adam Davis, a professor in the Classical and Modern Languages Department at Truman State University;

•Gabriel Fried, the author of two poetry collections and the poetry editor at Persea Books. He teaches in the graduate creative writing program at the University of Missouri;

•Kris Kleindienst, a published author and columnist, and the owner of Left Bank Books, an independent bookstore with two locations in St. Louis; and

•Nola Ruth, the chair of the Missouri Arts Council, who served for 17 years as the director of the Missouri Association of Community Arts Agencies.