The Gist

Our First Latino Poet Laureate

Juan Felipe Herrera wears many caps, including Rasta-colored beanies and old-fashioned nightcaps that pull down to his nose. 

Juan Felipe Herrera looks great in a cap.

Image Courtesy Blue Flower Arts

Listen to Episode 354 of Slate’s The Gist:

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On The Gist, some truths and lies about the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Then, we’re honored to welcome the United State’s new national Poet Laureate, Juan Felipe Herrera. As a bilingual, first-generation immigrant, Herrera explains that writing in Spanish feels like writing in a dream language, where he can play with tenses and use words as sonic instruments. In English, his poetry becomes more about architecture and syntax. For the Spiel, Mike goes on a quest to understand the House Freedom Caucus. 

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