Starting in the Middles Ages, a poet laureate, appointed by the king, was expected to compose works for grand state occasions.

Pittsburgh today is a more egalitarian place. We invite you to appoint yourself Poet Laureate of Pittsburgh -- and write a poem commemorating the May 15 Primary Elections.

The rules:

1. It must rhyme -- unlike the stuff professors call "poetry" these days. But that should be easy in an election with names like Ravenstahl, Onorato and Act 1. (Peduto is eligible for rhyming purposes.)

2. It cannot be as long as "The Canterbury Tales" (by Geoffrey Chaucer, an early English poet laureate).

Don't rest on your laurels -- the deadline is Thursday at noon. Send by e-mail to page2@post-gazette.com or by fax to 412-263-2014. Entries may be dropped off at the Post-Gazette front desk, addressed to "Page 2 Poetry."

The winners will be published on the Morning File page Friday.