National Poetry Month

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, March 2018; written by Michelle Lampton.

April is National Poetry Month!

Spring, humble poet

Green leaves pronounce winter’s death

Tiny poems of life

Poems are like people; they come in all different shapes, sizes, and moods: From short haikus to tall, epic odes, from the sad to the silly, those that live their verse in demure chastity or out loud in the risqué.

…Not to mention the fact they range from piercingly insightful to the purely incomprehensible.

But whether you hate poetry or adore it, in April, just don’t ignore it! At the very least, poetry is a distillation of human expression. (Incidentally, the Library is a great place to dose up on this ‘serum of the soul.’ We have a dedicated poetry section, complete with comfortable armchairs and a dramatic view of Deer Mountain. Hint hint.)

But there are more things to do with poetry in April than just read it. Here’s a run-down of some of our upcoming poetry-themed activities:

Recite-A-Poem (All Ages): Wander in and regale the staff member at the main circulation desk with a poem you’ve memorized. You’ll earn a raffle entry for one of several poetry-themed prizes to be awarded at the end of the month. (Oh, and librarians are sensitive creatures, so remember to keep your poem choices at least somewhat modest, lest our cheeks burst into flames!)

Poem-In-Your-Pocket (All Ages): We’ve pre-selected a nice range of poems-to-go. The idea is to carry one with you for a day, both to read to yourself as well as share with others. From haikus written by some of the Japanese “Immortals of Poetry,” to battle stanzas from Shakespeare, children’s poems about cows and mathematical tables, to love poems by Sara Teasdale and a bit of blush-worthy verse from D.H. Lawrence, we’ll have a bit of everything for you to choose from.

Chalk-One-Up (All Ages): Now that winter is gone, let’s move the poetry outdoors so it can breathe a bit. On dry days, come inside, borrow a box of chalk, then head back out and help adorn our sidewalks with whatever verse, rhyme or art speaks to you!

Also (Just-For-Teens), from a group that previously brought us “Poetry vs. Godzilla Night,” our Teen Advisory Group has a totally rad evening of poetry planned. This year’s “Bad Poetry Night” invites teens to come and revel in their favorite “worst” poems, have some fun, then finish the evening out with a movie.

Of course, we’re not the only Ketchikan organization celebrating Poetry Month: Don’t forget KRBD is once again putting on their annual “A Poem a Day Won’t Kill You,” and the awesome middle schoolers at Ketchikan Charter School will be having their own poem-a-day program going as well!

If you’d like to learn more about poetry or National Poetry Month, swing by to see us the Library. Or, check out poets.org, the official website of The Academy of American Poets, a fantastic resource for both new readers and aficionados alike.