David Mercier Parsons: Austin’s 2011 Texas State Poet Laureate

Image: Chudder15, Poet Dave Parsons at the Texas Book Festival, 2016, CC BY-SA 4.0

David M. Parsons, Austin’s 2011 Texas State Poet Laureate, blends his military discipline from the U.S. Marine Corps with literary skill to enrich Texas’s cultural and poetic landscape. A member of the Texas Institute of Letters, Parsons has received accolades for his poetry while inspiring countless students as an educator.

Celebrated for collections like The Texian and Editing Sky, he has made a lasting mark by promoting the literary arts throughout Texas. Continue below to learn more about his influential journey and community contributions.

Early Life and Military Service

Although born in Villa Rica, Georgia, on April 16, 1943, David M. Parsons grew up in Austin, Texas, where his formative years laid the groundwork for his literary and leadership success.

Parsons served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years, rising to the roles of Squad Leader and Recon Boat Team Leader. These experiences fostered a sense of discipline and resilience that would later influence the themes in his poetry—especially those centered on courage, loss, and identity.

In 2015, Parsons created a creative writing course for veterans and their families, using poetry as a tool for healing and self-expression. This initiative showcased his commitment to uplifting fellow veterans through the transformative power of the literary arts.

Academic Pursuits and Influences

David M. Parsons pursued a Master of Arts in Creative Writing at the University of Houston, where he studied under literary luminaries such as Edward Hirsch and Robert Pinsky.

This academic experience helped shape his poetic voice and further established his role as a thought leader in Texas poetry. He later taught English and Creative Writing at Lone Star College–Montgomery, where he inspired students with his deep understanding of literature and poetic form.

In 2009, Parsons was elected to the Texas Institute of Letters, a recognition of his contributions to Texas’s literary culture. Through his teaching and community initiatives—especially those supporting veterans—he has continued to leave a meaningful imprint on the state’s literary landscape.

Achievements as Poet Laureate

As Texas State Poet Laureate in 2011, Parsons took on the role of literary ambassador with fervor. He expanded awareness of Texas poets and emphasized poetry’s relevance through readings, festivals, and educational events across the state.

His poem The Texian—which reflects Texas’s storied past—was installed as a bronze monument at the Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park in Conroe in 2019, symbolizing his deep connection to Texas history.

Parsons’ tenure was also marked by his efforts to highlight American literary icons such as Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman, reinforcing the power of poetry in civic life. His recognition by the Texas Legislature and election to the Texas Institute of Letters underscore his cultural importance.

Literary Contributions and Notable Works

Parsons has contributed a robust body of poetry that bridges the personal with the historical. His most acclaimed works include:

• Editing Sky – Winner of the Texas Review Poetry Prize, this collection captures emotional nuance and lyrical precision.
• Color of Mourning – A deeply reflective volume that examines themes of grief, memory, and reverence.
• The Texian – A celebrated poem permanently installed in bronze, paying tribute to Texas heritage.

He also co-edited Far Out: Poems of the 60s, an anthology that curates the poetic voices of that transformative era. Parsons’ poetry is noted for evoking Texas landscapes, family histories, and cultural reflections with clarity and power.

Teaching and Educational Initiatives

Beyond his poetry, David M. Parsons has dedicated himself to education. As an adjunct professor at Lone Star College–Montgomery, he helped students master the craft of writing and understand the emotional resonance of literature.

He expanded his reach by creating a creative writing course tailored to veterans and their families in 2015, emphasizing storytelling as a form of healing.

Additionally, he taught poetry workshops through Inprint Inc. in Houston, and founded the Writers in Performance Series, which gave emerging writers a platform to share their work.

Through these educational projects, Parsons has significantly enriched the lives of both students and readers across Texas.

Community Involvement and Leadership

Parsons’s leadership extends well beyond the page. As founder of the Montgomery County Literary Arts Council’s Writers in Performance Series, he has long promoted the arts as a community resource.

His role as Chairman of the Conroe Arts Alliance and as a member of the Conroe Commission on the Arts & Culture for 17 years exemplifies his dedication to arts administration and cultural policy.

Key leadership highlights:

• Writers in Performance: Celebrated regional and national authors, encouraging public engagement with literature.
• Conroe Arts Alliance: Promoted multidisciplinary arts events to connect artists and community members.
• Arts Policy Development: Played a pivotal role in shaping Conroe’s cultural planning and advocacy.

Parsons’ advocacy has helped secure arts funding and visibility for regional literary programs.

Family and Personal Life

David M. Parsons shares his life with his wife Nancy Parsons, an award-winning artist and graphic designer. Together, they form a creative household dedicated to the arts.

Their four children—Robert, Laura Doehrman, Dr. Brandy Parsons-Miller, and Allison Paige Parsons—all pursue professions grounded in education and service. Robert is an Instructional Science Coach; Laura, a Special Education Diagnostician; and Brandy, a Clinical Psychologist.

Parsons’ personal life reflects the same values he brings to his literary and civic work: integrity, mentorship, creativity, and compassion.