poet laureate - n. a poet who is honored by being chosen for an official position by a ruler or government

appreciation - n. an ability to understand the worth, quality, or importance of something

contribution - n. a piece of writing that is published as part of a larger work

forefront - n. the most important part or position

intimate - adj. very closely related or connected

clay - n. a heavy, sticky material from the earth that is made into different shapes and that becomes hard when it is baked or dried