In 2016, the national park system celebrated its hundredth birthday. When poet karla k. morton learned that there had never been a complete book of poetry written to celebrate all 62 national parks, she decided to do just that, along with her friend and fellow Texas poet laureate Alan Birkelbach.

Wyoming Public Radio's Micah Schweizer spoke to the two poets about how their new book, The National Parks: A Century of Grace, came to be.

Song of the Tetons - karla k. Morton (Grand Teton National Park)

song_of_the_tetons_karla_k_morton.mp3

Listen • 1:33

Grand Teton - Alan Birkelbach (Grand Teton National Park)

grand_teton_alan_birkelbach.mp3

Listen • 1:45

I Dare You - karla k. Morton (Sequoia National Park)

i_dare_you_karla_k_morton.mp3

Listen • 1:05

Cathedral - Alan Birkelbach (Redwood National Park)

cathedral_alan_birkelbach.mp3

Listen • 0:42