Maria Shriver Will Guest Edit Oprah Magazine April 2011 Poetry Issue

Former California First Lady Maria Shriver will serve as the first-ever guest editor for The Oprah Magazine when she steps into the leadership role for the mag’s poetry-focused April issue, themed “Express Yourself.”

Shriver, award-winning journalist, best-selling author and activist, is working with the editorial staff of O to develop ideas and content for the issue, which will celebrate National Poetry Month and hits newsstands March 15. The April issue will feature the work of many of the world’s most celebrated poets, as well as thoughts on poetry from Hollywood heavyweights like Demi Moore to Mike Tyson, who will share some of their favorite pieces.

“I try to mark the occasion of each new day by reading something inspirational. Sometimes the inspiration comes from a book of tips or quotations, but it usually comes from a book of poetry,” Shriver says. “Poetry can help us through hard times and bring us closer to our joy. Poetry can be prayerful and somber or irreverent and playful, but what runs through all poetry is the search for meaning and understanding that connects us together. While a poem may bring us deep personal meaning, it becomes more meaningful when we share it with others…Poetry has had such a powerful influence on my life, and I’m thrilled to be celebrating National Poetry Month with the readers of O, The Oprah Magazine.”