We recently connected with Maritza Altamirano and have shared our conversation below.

Maritza, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

The beauty of being a poet is that our journeys are as unique as the verses we speak. My love for reading and writing began at the age of eight, thanks to a moment that changed everything—my momma encouraging me to choose a chapter book over yet another Barbie doll during a shopping trip. One book led to another, and before I knew it, I was crafting my own short stories. I filled pages with tales of school adventures, fairies, families, and friendships—every day was a new story waiting to be told.

My love for poetry, though, didn’t blossom until high school, between 2009 and 2013. English Literature quickly became my favorite subject, and I eagerly absorbed everything I could about poetry—though, at first, I was obsessed with making every line rhyme. I was caught up in structure, trying too hard to fit poetry into a neat little box. It wasn’t until 2015 that spoken word found me.

That year, I attended an Art Walk event in Porterville, where the Visalia Loud Mouth Poetry Jam performed. That night changed my world. I was mesmerized by the way poetry could be freeing—raw, powerful, and unbound by rigid forms. I knew in that moment that I wanted to be a part of it. Since joining the Loud Mouth community, I’ve dedicated myself to refining my craft. Spoken word isn’t just about writing—it’s about delivering a message that resonates. It’s about intonation, voice inflections, wordplay, and theatrics. It’s about breathing life into words. Spoken word poetry gave my voice wings, and today, I rise as La Mariposa.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For those who may not have heard of me before, I am La Mariposa (The Butterfly), a spoken word poet and the founder of Ru’s Radiance. My poetry is a reflection of my soul—rooted in the strength of women, the fight against oppressive systems, and the deep cultural roots that shape me. I embrace the name “La Mariposa” because of my wild spirit, driven to shatter generational expectations and find resilience in the midst of chaos. I often say, “Mis alas son mis palabras” (My wings are my words), because poetry has given me flight, allowing me to speak my truth and honor my father’s memory through every verse. I have been a poet for nearly a decade, and my passion for storytelling continues to grow stronger with time.

Beyond poetry, I am also the heart behind Ru’s Radiance, a business I built from the ground up in 2020. I specialize in creating handmade glass crystal rhinestone-coated products—tumblers, pens, mirrors, and more—that are designed to bring out each customer’s inner sparkle. Every piece is crafted with intention and care, ensuring that each Radiant Gem (as I call my customers) can carry a little extra shine in their everyday life. Our motto is simple but powerful: “Blinging happiness one sparkle at a time!”

What sets me apart in both my poetry and my business is the deep emotional connection I pour into everything I create. Whether I am standing on stage delivering a spoken word piece or meticulously placing each rhinestone onto a custom order, my goal is the same—to inspire, to uplift, and to remind others of their own power. I take pride in the authenticity of my work, in the stories I tell, and in the community I am building.

For anyone discovering my journey today, I want you to know that both my poetry and my business are fueled by passion and purpose. Whether you find solace in my words or joy in the sparkle of a handcrafted piece, I hope you walk away feeling empowered. After all, we all deserve to shine—inside and out.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

One of the biggest misconceptions about poetry is that it’s too boring, too flowery, or not serious enough to make an impact. But to me, poetry is resilience. It’s power. It’s the way I navigate difficult conversations, how I make sense of the chaos around me, and how I turn pain into purpose.

With so much political distress happening—especially within marginalized communities—poetry becomes more than just an art form; it’s a necessity. It gives us a way to speak our truth without being dismissed as “too emotional” or “too hostile.” It allows us to reclaim our voices, challenge oppression, and build connections through shared experiences. Spoken word, in particular, strips away the barriers between poet and audience—what we say is felt just as much as it is heard.

I truly believe anyone can be a poet as long as they have a truth to tell. You don’t have to write in perfect rhyme or follow a strict form—poetry is about honesty, about raw, unfiltered expression. To those unfamiliar with it, I challenge you: come to a spoken word event. Read some poetry. Support your local poets. Poetry isn’t just about rhymes and metaphors—it’s revolution in motion.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As La Mariposa, my mission is to inspire others to break free from their cocoons and embrace the beauty of their perfectly imperfect identities. I want my poetry to serve as a reminder that growth is never linear, that transformation is never easy, but that we all have the power to soar—braver and bolder than we were yesterday.

At the core of my journey is a deeply personal hope: that my verses reach the realms of heaven so my father can hear them. Every poem I write carries his memory, his presence, and the love I still speak into existence. My words are my wings, and with every performance, I send them skyward.

Beyond personal healing, I dream of the day when my first published poetry collection sits on bookstore shelves, waiting to be discovered by someone who needs it. Ever since I was a little caterpillar, writing stories and scribbling verses, I’ve longed for that moment—to hold my book in my hands and know that my words have found a home in the hearts of others.

More than anything, I hope my poetry reaches those who seek encouragement, empowerment, and a sense of belonging. I want my words to remind others that they are seen, that they are strong, and that they, too, have the power to rise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rusradiance.com
• Instagram: @lamariposapoet / @rusradiance
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lamariposapoet
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maritzaaltamirano