The California Poet Laureate has been announced, and the position will be filled by a USC English professor Carol Muske-Dukes. Dukes will be given the Sisyphean task of promoting poetry to the California public, for which she will earn a whole $10,000 for two years of work.

According to the San Jose Mercury News:

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday appointed a University of Southern California English professor and author as California's next poet laureate.

Carol Muske-Dukes founded the school's graduate program in literature and creative writing. She has written seven books of poetry, four novels and two collections of essays. Her most recent work, "Sparrow," was a National Book Award finalist.

She also founded and taught in a creative writing program at a women's prison on Riker's Island in New York.

The poet laureate works with the California Arts Council to promote poetry, especially among children. The council takes nominations and recommends four candidates to the governor, who made his announcement Thursday.

"Carol Muske-Dukes is a distinguished writer who has greatly influenced the world of literary arts in California and throughout the world," said Muriel Johnson, director of the arts council.

The position comes with a $10,000 stipend over the two-year term.

It’s questionable whether one should congratulate Muske-Dukes or offer her condolences. Yes, it’s an honor, but it’s an honor which involves a pretty heavy duty responsibility and practically no compensation.