It’s National Poetry Month in the United States and Canada! Every April, the Academy of American Poets organizes a month-long celebration of poetry to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry. Today we join in the festivities by featuring some poetry, book recommendations, and more.
An Ode to a Broken Marker: Why Not?
Sometimes it takes a child’s perspective to remind us that poetry is all around us. MsMac is a library media specialist at Silver Star Elementary in Vancouver, Washington. Throughout the month of April, she’s been working with a group of fourth-grade students writing poems about inanimate objects in the classroom. We loved Ruben’s tribute to a broken marker and Tim’s ode to the calendar.
Lost and forgotten marker
I am as leaky as a river coming into the sea
overused, gross, ugly
we chucked you in the trash
yucky, unneeded, broken marker~Ruben
Organized calendar
I’m as smart as a 7th grader
flip, count, mark
you know what day it is
Time keeper~Tim
Arresting Visual Imagery by Katy Telling
Poetry need not simply be words on an other-wise blank page. Soft Cartel was a magazine dedicated to fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and art. We loved the boldness of Katy Telling’s recent visual poem and how the image remains emblazoned on your mind as a reader.
Three Poetry Book Recommendations
Interested in picking up a poetry collection but not sure where to start? Susan, a contributor to the O’Fallon Public Library Blog, recommends three titles from a diverse set of authors, including Soaring Earth by Cuban-American poet Margarita Engle.
The next recommendation is based on real events. In Soaring Earth, Margarita Engle details her teenage years in Los Angeles against the turbulent backdrop of the Vietnam War.
In vulnerable verse, she addresses the notions of peace, civil rights, freedom of expression, and environmental protection that are once again under threat. Despite these circumstances, young Margarita was able to find solace and empowerment through her education.
Poetry Resources, Advice, and…Poems, of Course!
VITA BREVIS is a resource for emerging poets. It publishes not only poetry, but also guides for poets on how to get published and on working with WordPress.
We loved this recent poem by Ann Christine Tabaka about the loneliness of growing old. Here’s just a small sample. You can also read the poem in its entirety.
As memories fade, so
does he. Closing his eyes, he drifts
off into that other world. As the mail
truck drives by, not stopping, and dust
motes continue their last ballet.
***
Have you written any poetry or read poems in honor of National Poetry Month? Please share!
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I have a poetry blog…
I have a few poems but each of them is close to my heart.
My poems are not a reflection of my mind, they are the reflection of my heart…
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I love Poetry and I write many poems and song Lyrics it’s another form of creative expression along with my Art . That’s great that you are Celebrating Poetry Cheers Poet And Visual Artist Jane Beckman
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very inspiring post. Poetry is important, and speaks to the artistic talent within us. The fact we all have a voice and it is powerful once we use it, in a powerful way
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I also have a poetry n writeup page… WEAVING DOTS..come..visit my blog. You will love the content
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The contributions of poetry on the planet earth can not be overemphasized… Keep it up dear!
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poetry is a powerful for of art. loved reading the post…
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Poetry is a tool of expression, and a powerful voicing channel..nice post
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Love this
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Poetry is the voice of heart beautiful and pure
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Thank you for posting this! I can’t wait to sort through the suggestions you made for a good poetry collection read! Poetry is an amazing way to heal your soul and speak your truths that otherwise stay locked up. I write poetry on my blog.
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Poetry is a way any individual could express themselve through creative…its so beautiful that it could impact anyone in different ways…..isn’t that beautiful….just few words and you can feel the emotion of the writer…..
Even I like to write poems i may not be have the talent but i do want to express my thoughts to the world….
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I agree! Poetry is awesome and important. Even in my own writing, I can see how it’s just an extension, an expression, of ourselves. Lovely poems you shared with us! Thank you.
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Hi I’m a teen struggling writer. My blog is called Feather quills and inkpots because it is for all things paper and pen…. eg. poetry, short stories, stories, articles, drawing and everything basically. I post my own works and other people’s too. I’ve started the blog only a few months now so the work is slow and we’ve only posted a few poems, but I swear you will not be disappointed by the more that there is to come. Please give the site a visit. It will be really appreciated. Thank You
Spread the word too 🤗
RAINE
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Good read.
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I am writing after a parent suggest I do because I loved to write growing up.
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A great reminder that poetry is a cathartic expression for all us.
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Keep writing them. Many of us love poems, but we aren’t poets.
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I loved the poetry! I am a poet myself, can I share my poetry here as well?
my blog- warmspaghetti
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I have a love poetry blog. And this month, I posted regularly ♥️🙈 Also, I’m on Wattpad.
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