Did you know that National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world? Or that the Academy of American Poets was inspired by the successful celebrations of Black History Month (February) and Women’s History Month (March), and the first National Poetry Month was in April of 1996, making it only 21 years old this year?
Good news is that even if you weren’t aware, we still have 10 days left in April to celebrate. But don’t stop celebrating poetry just because April ends. Share our favorites, read something new, ask others for their recommendations, and find new favorites. Expand your poetry horizons! There’s a big world of poetry out there beyond Shakespeare, Keats, Dickinson, Frost, Angelou, and Poe. Yes, these are great poets, but so are some of the ones yet to be discovered.
Want some ideas? Check out Poets.org. You can sign up for poem-a-day and check out all kinds of poetry and poets on their site. They also have a list of 30 ways to celebrate National Poetry Month.
Be sure to participate next week Thursday, April 20, 2017 in Poem in Your Pocket Day! You can find all the details here!
So, read, write, share, and most importantly ENJOY this year’s National Poetry Month!