Poet, playwright and Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott has written over 40 plays and volumes of poetry. He's also worked on musical theater, including a collaboration with Paul Simon on the Broadway production of "The Capeman." (Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

Poet and President-elect Obama

Poet, playwright and Nobel Laureate Derek Walcott has written over 40 plays and volumes of poetry. He's also worked on musical theater, including a collaboration with Paul Simon on the Broadway production of "The Capeman."

Credit: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images