In celebration of National Poetry Month we have a special guest - this year's Phoenix's Youth Poet Laureate Myra Kamel! In this episode we talk with Myra about how she how she fell in love with poetry and what inspires her to write poetry...but best of all, you get to hear a nature poem she wrote, titled, A Siesta. She also shares how she was inspired her to write her poem and ideas for how you can start writing a nature poem too.

If you'd like to hear more about the Phoenix Youth Poetry Program, visit CYAZ.org. If you'd like to start a youth poetry program, visit UrbanWordNYC.org. And if you'd like to read and learn about poets visit poetryfoundation.org

Here are links to all of Myra's poetry recommends in the episode:The Borderline (Myra's literary mag)- https://www.theborderlinemag.org/Write the World - www.writetheworld.comKid Spirit - www.kidspiritonline.comScholastic Arts & Writing - www.artandwriting.orgPolyphony Lit - (for high school students) www.polyphonylit.orgDandelion Press - www.dandelionpress.comYoung Writers Initiative - www.tywi.orgReFrame - www.reframephx.orgVirginia Piper Center for Creative Writing - www.piper.asu.eduDesert Dweller Podcast - find it on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts

You can also follow Phoenix Youth Poets on Instagram at @phxyouthpoetlaureateprogram

Interview captured on Zoom, SFX from Zapsplat and Garageband