8 Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month
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.
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