Today, April 1, is really quite a day. It’s Opening Day for Major League Baseball. It’s April Fool’s Day. And it’s the first day of National Poetry Month, an annual, month-long celebration of all the ways poetry matters.
The Academy of American Poets suggests a few ways to celebrate, including:
- Read about 30 ways to celebrate National Poetry Month online and at home
- Sign up for Poem-a-Day and enjoy a free daily poem in your inbox, this month curated by award-winning poet Jane Hirshfield
- Share a #pocketpoem on Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 29
- Follow the thousands of celebrations taking place on social media with the official hashtag #NationalPoetryMonth
We also might suggest:
- Submitting a poem to “Poem of the Day,” a program of Pittsboro Writers’ Morning Out, by e-mailing NCWN Regional Rep Carol Phillips
- Checking out Durham-based Bull City Press, offering discounts on poetry titles
- Registering for poetry sessions at the NCWN Online Spring Conference 2021
- Listening to NC Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green read her poem “Oh My Brother” from her album, The River Speaks of Thirst
- Keep an eye on our Member Readings and Literary Events calendars for upcoming poetry happenings near you or online
There are countless ways to enjoy poetry this month, and absolutely no rules. So, let’s celebrate!