National Poetry Month
April is National Poetry Month in the United States. This designation was initiated in April 1996 by the American Academy of Poets. It is now claimed to be the largest literary celebration in the world with millions of students, librarians, booksellers, publishers, attendees at literary evets and, of course, poets taking part. Attending a reading, buying a book of poetry, checking one out of the library, memorizing a poem, dipping into an anthology until you find a poem that particularly resonates with you, rereading an old favorite, all of these are ways to be part of the celebration. If you’re looking for an anthology your local library is a good place to start. You’ll likely find familiar titles beginning with words like “One Hundred Favorite” or “Best Loved.” Garrison Keillor has published anthologies as has a young American poet, James Crews. National Public Radio’s “On Being” has several recent ones, edited by Padraig O’Tuoma. Or go to a bookseller and see what’s in their poetry section.
April 10 is Poem in Your Pocket Day. The website Poets.org suggests a number of activities for that day. You can print off a few copies of a poem you like to carry in your pocket (or purse or backpack) to hand out to people you interact with that day. You can stand in your front yard or a park and read a poem aloud. Check out the website for other ideas.
During two recent Aprils I have been invited to the retirement community in South Carolina where my sister and brother-in-law live to talk to residents about poetry. The first time I made my talk rather general and read some poems I like as well as a few of my own. When I returned a couple of years later, I tailored my talk to a specific form of poetry, ekphrastic poems, i.e., poems inspired by another form of art usually visual art. Both times I created power point presentations to illustrate my speech. Standing before those groups stretched my comfort zone a bit but the occasions were, for me, memorable Poetry Month events.
This year I’ll be launching my new collection, The Watchful Eye on April 17 at The Learning Center in Savannah. I hope local friends will come out to hear me read and mark Poetry Month 2025. Refreshments are at 5:00 and reading at 5:30..