National Poetry Month was launched by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996. It comes each April to remind us that poetry matters and poets have a fundamental role in our culture. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world, and this year is a special one as it’s the 25th anniversary of this event!
According to poets.org, the purpose of National Poetry Month is to:
- highlight the extraordinary legacy and ongoing achievement of American poets
- encourage the reading of poems
- assist teachers in bringing poetry into their classrooms
- increase the attention paid to poetry by national and local media
- encourage increased publication and distribution of poetry books, and
- encourage support for poets and poetry.
In honor of National Poetry Month, we’ve compiled a list of ways for you to join the celebration:
- Start your day by reading a poem each morning.
- Read 2020’s most-read poem by a contemporary poet, Naomi Shihab Nye’s “Kindness.”
- Record yourself reading a poem and share it on your social media!
- Read a book of poetry.
- Try your hand at writing a formal poem.
- Sign up for an online poetry class or workshop.
- Read and share poems about the environment in honor of Earth Day.
- Watch a movie, lecture, or video featuring a poet.
