Thinking about writing as an act of celebration is sometimes a helpful framework for me. It allows me to prioritize what I want to call attention to and what I want others to know about me. It makes me ask: What is worth celebrating?

Ever hear that expression, "it was the best of times, it was the worst of times"? That's what high school was like for me. Both of those - all the time.

Part of what I try to do in schools is take poetry off of a pedestal and make it a little more accessible and approachable.

I write poetry to figure things out. It's what I use as a navigating tool in my life, so when there's something that I just can't understand, I have to "poem" my way through it. For that reason I write a lot about family, because my family confuses me and I'm always trying to figure them out. I write a lot about love, because love is continually confusing in all of its many glorious aspects.

I think there is a human instinct to tell stories, no matter who you are or where you live.

There are parts of me I only recognize from photographs.

You can be an artist, work hard for your work and also share while trying to create community with other artists.