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“Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.”
– Edgar Allen Poe
Jorge Luis Borges. Gwendolyn Brooks. Suheir Hammad. Li-Young Lee. Marianne Moore. Edgar Allen Poe. “To Be In Love.” “Land.” “Baseball and Writing.” “Arcadian Winter.” “The Raven.” “A Story.”
Do these names ring a bell? Six poems and six poets – can you match them up?
If you don’t recognize these names, April is a month to learn about these poets and many others. April is National Poetry Month.
Like many people, I don’t know much about poetry. I can remember “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary” only because I took one class on poetry years ago.
National Poetry Month has been around since 1996. It was started by The Academy of American Poets. The idea is to help people learn about poetry, living poets, the art of poetry, books and journals on poetry.
Some of these poets were innovators. For example, Marianne Moore created a whole new architecture that was gorgeous and exciting, according to one writer.
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According to the Academy of American Poets, their long-term goal is “to increase the visibility and availability of poetry in popular culture while acknowledging and celebrating poetry’s ability to sustain itself in the many places where it is practiced and appreciated.”
Other goals include:
- Highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets
- Introduce more Americans to the pleasures of reading poetry
- Bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways
- Make poetry a more important part of the school curriculum
- Increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media
- Encourage increased publication, distribution, and sales of poetry books
- Increase public and private philanthropic support for poets and poetry
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What do you want to know about poetry? How can you learn more? You can read a book about poetry or memorize a poem. Add a poem to your email signature or listen to one on your IPod. Read a poem at an open mic event or read some literary criticism. Organize a Young People’s Poetry Week or write a poem on the sidewalk.
There are events around the country in April. Other events are planned in cities like Vancouver, BC and Atlanta, GA. You can meet poets, listen to poetry, and learn more about the art of writing poetry. Many events will be held in bookstores and college campuses.
There was a gala celebration on April 5 at the Lincoln Center in New York City.
Other events on will happen at the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress — April 25, a “Poetry for the People” event with national and local celebrities and on April 27, a program for local poets and young readers.
Bessie DiDomenica, MBA
Co-founder, Columnist and Editor
Secretary of Innovation
“In imagination & creativity we trust…”
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