The nation's capital is normally crawling with policy analysts, journalists and Mid-Western tourists this time of the year, but there were hundreds of poets in town last week for the Split this Rock Poetry Festival. Sonia Sanchez, Mark Doty, Sharon Olds, Lucille Clifton, E. Ethelbert Miller, and Naomi Shihab Nye among others celebrated poetry at venues throughout the city.

So, I finally have an excuse to write about one of those legendary, life-changing poets: Naomi Shihab Nye.

"Honeybee" is a collection of 82 poems for young readers. Shihab Nye's words are never bland or too chewy. The young reader in your life will enjoy the subtle flavors and images in this recently published work. As always, Shihab Nye's poetry is also sprinkled with food for thought, which will enliven your little reader's imagination.

This year also marks the tenth anniversary of Shihab Nye's "Fuel" which includes this gem:

Hidden

If you place a fern
under a stone
the next day it will be
nearly invisible
as if the stone has
swallowed it

If you tuck the name of a loved one
under your tongue too long
without speaking it
it becomes blood

Sigh

the little sucked-in breath of air
hiding everywhere
beneath your words.

No one sees
the fuel that feeds you.

Poetry is always worth celebrating. Naomi Shihab Nye is one of those poets you keep turning to in every era of your life. So, pick up a copy of "Honeybee" for your favorite young person and initiate a lifetime of poetry thrill. Or give a copy of "Fuel" to a special friend.