WORDS ON A WIRE: Juan Felipe Herrera

Daniel talks with Juan Felipe Herrera, California Poet Laureate (aired Oct 14, 2012). Herrera is the first Hispanic Poet Laureate in the state. He talks about how he’s using the exposure to create the biggest poem in the world built on the theme of Unity. He also talks about the “I Promise Joanna” Project, which invites teachers, students, and all victims of bullying to share their stories in memory of 11-year-old Joanna Ramos, who died while being victimized by bullies. Herrera also talks about his current project - a staged presentation of monologues & poems based on interviews with Cuca & Eva Aguirre, 1930’s radio stars from the El Paso-Juarez region. Juan Felipe Herrera contributes to this week’s Poem of the Week by reading a few lines from his new play about Cuca & Eva Aguirre. www.facebook.com/pages/Juan-Felipe-Herrera/103794522993002, www.juanfelipepoet.com This week’s Poetic License comes from Paul Pedroza, a native El Pasoan who moved to the Midwest to further his studies, but who came back to El Paso after realizing it was ok to miss the desert.