Newly appointed U.S. poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera wrote us a brand new poem.

From being the son of Mexican migrant workers of the San Joaquin Valley and Salinas Valley, to a graduate of UCLA and Stanford; from speaking Spanish and struggling to comprehend English, to mastering both languages as an award-winning poet; from working with neglected people in poor communities to…well, he's still doing that. 

Juan Felipe Herrera has just earned one of the country's highest titles in arts and letters—that of U.S. poet laureate, appointed by the Library of Congress. It's a distinction he shares with people like Robert Frost, Gwendolyn Brooks, Robert Pinsky, Stanley Kunitz. He's the first Latino poet, however, named to the post. And he's not about to neglect his roots. 

He wrote to the Weekly about poetry, his writing process, his appointment (which officially begins in September), and, when invited to do so, answered one question—the last question—in the form of an original poem. Here is the Poet of the United States, in his own lyrical words:

Weekly: How are you sitting with being named the U.S. Poet Laureate? 

Juan Felipe Herrera: This position calls on a national and in many ways an international stage — so I am feeling growth at light speed and an extreme learning curve, like advanced astrophysics and a supernova mind stretch, not to mention biggest heart. 

What do you want to do with this appointment? 

I am going to call on a lot of participation from everyone, and also tons of engagement with the Library of Congress — perhaps under the banner of Casa de Colores. This will be unveiled at the September 15th Laureate inaugural. Sure am looking forward to it. So, get ready.

How do you see the role of poetry in people's lives today? What would you like it be?

Expansive. People are expressing themselves at more levels than before. All youth, it seems, are delighting in verbal art whether it is on the page or on the stage or on the protesting streets. Technology offers endless possibilities — the cries of the world, at every moment, are also scratching out their plight. Major prizes this very year have been given to poets.

You are the first Latino poet to be named U.S. poet laureate. Is that especially meaningful for you?  

Everything is especially meaningful — Latinas and Latinos have long been speaking, writing and creating and yet in many ways are still unheard. I hope my appointment shakes out a new set of keys — for all.

How can poetry save or redeem people? What does it do for poor, disadvantaged or troubled kids?

It provides a magic wand — it is made of true free speech and true self-expression. When this wand lays at the hand of the poor, it becomes a fountain of hope and positive action.

You've achieved much. How do you stay close to your roots, in particular as a child of migrant workers? 

My roots are always with me — they turn into inspiration — a deep well that is always a few feet in front of me, it offers sincerity, truth and guidance.

How do you write? 

Very fast. I scribble, draw, sketch, used fountain pens, thick pencils, large sketchpads, red, green and black inks. To me writing is more like painting and music. I work at being influenced as much as possible so that I do not rot as an artist.

You've taught at CSU Summer Arts before. What do you like about it?

The students and their families. Their openness. Their daring. Their art, music and multi-talents, their funny-bone and their amazing youth.

How do you see the role and impact of Latinos in the future of California and the country? 

It is already here — it is everywhere in the USA. It is economic, it is vote-related and it is language centered — it is packed with cultural innovations and surprises. 

In your estimation, how is California doing as a beacon for the rest of the country? And would you care to respond in the form of a poem?  

The poem of California

is a poem of love and labor 

it is a poem of borders and

borderlessness it is a wave  --

you wear it everyday 

it rises across the ocean

the new horizon 

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