View from the satellite campus of UVU where we moved my morning workshop to today. There are many tragedies out there in the world. But there are also these mountains. These scholars. And their dreams that tower over these mountains. I’m wishing you all morning Light today. There’s work to be done.

Today my wife met with her new gynecologist. She asked my wife about her sex life, frequency & whatnot, Aída replied, normal amount for me, but my husband is ravenous…he can’t keep his hands of my lucky charms. The doc replied…Mr. Z was my former English teacher. #love #truestory #lovewins

The amazing people at Collin College in Allen, Texas, are hosting me today in honor of National Poetry Month. They made these lovely burnt wood etchings of the cover of one of my books, Fight or Flight. I’ll be reading from Arsonist and Occupy Whiteness today. #poetry #NationalPoetryMonth #poetlife

Spending the morning with scholars who are men of color studying to become teachers at UTSA. #teacher #teacherlife #inspire #coolspeak

Sometimes when it’s 68 degrees outside and your beautiful partner has gone to bed early, you just have to sit out back in the new outdoor living area and have an Arnie Parmie and work on a new poem. #lifeisbeautiful #beautifulhomes #poem

I heard my favorite morning radio talk show hosts talking about the brain benefits of “the big 5.” 5 foods that promote brain health. So I drove to my local organic grocer & whipped up something for Aída’s brain. Food is love. Love someone well today. Even if that someone is you. #foodismedicine

I know to some you might just see some wooden end tables. But Aída & I see works of art. In this episode of Mexican American Pickers…two pieces we have been seeking out for years. The metal end tables have been placed holders. Finally we found what we have been looking for. #beautifulhome #mcm

www.texasobserver.org/poetry-promp... Please read my new poem “Poetry Prompts for Detained Children” online at texasobserver.org or in their Jan/Feb magazine issue out now. It will appear in my forthcoming book, IMMIGRANT. Thank you Texas Observer. #poetry #poem #border #immigrant #migrant

2 weeks ago I got an email from the Mavs, thanking me for my loyalty. They gave me a gift card. The $40 T-shirt I picked came in a few days ago…I went with my favorite player…Luka. Joaquín, can you write a heartbreaking poem in just six words? What do you think: Luka shirt for sale… never worn

Here’s what I know…this book…my book, Occupy Whiteness, out now from Deep Vellum Publishing is going to be more necessary now than when it came out months ago. To book me for your literary festival, writers series, TED Talk, college, or university, email me at [email protected]. #poetry

My job as a poet is not to tell you a beautiful lie that will make you believe in truth. My job as a poet is to tell you an awful truth that will make you believe in beauty. #poetry

Our amazing cleaning person said to us, some people see this day as a holiday and don’t want me to come and clean, do you want me to? My wife and I simply asked her, what do you see this day as…and would you like to work today or take the day off? She chose to work and we are so #grateful. #selfcare

It’s no secret I served the Church as a mocoso. There were things about the Catholic faith that were impossibly beautiful to me, and there were things I struggled with. We just finished Conclave. Damn. Just…damn. Such an extraordinary film.

If you don’t think Beyoncé is country enough…you might be too country.

A friend of mine, Juan Cangas, took this photo of me today. This represents what my mission in life is. Teach young scholars everything I know about writing and then give them a spotlight to share their talents. #teach #poetry #poetlaureate

I love that my journey has allowed me to cross paths with my literary (s)heroes. Got to thank Stephen Graham Jones today for what his work has meant to me and the young scholars I work with. Then bumped into this poetic legend, Naomi Shihab Nye. #poetry #booktour #OccupyWhiteness #texasbookfeatival

My 1st event at the Texas Book Festival went so well. I’m so grateful for the opportunity. But the real purpose of this post is to say after my event I was able to get to Franklin’s BBQ at 2:42. They closed at 3 and declared me the last one in. They hooked me and Aída up! Life is good. #BBQ #poetry

Yes, Occupy Whiteness…my new book…will be at The Texas Book Festival this weekend. (I will be there too.) I hope to see you Saturday and Sunday. #poetry #texasbookfestival #austin #ATX #booktour #OccupyWhiteness

Since this is my first post on Blue Sky…I wanted it to be beautiful. These are my daughters. They are beauty full. I’ve written many lovely poems. None lovelier than them. #poetry #girldad #beautiful