April is National Poetry Month
Throughout the month of April, schools, libraries, and people across the United States celebrate National Poetry Month. According to the Academy of American Poets, they launched National Poetry Month in April 1996 to “… [remind] the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters.”
There are many ways to celebrate, including signing up for "Poem-a-Day," participating online by using the hashtag #NationalPoetryMonth, and displaying the 2022 National Poetry Month Poster. The Academy of American Poets also compiled a list of 30 ways to celebrate National Poetry Month in the classroom and a list of 30 ways to celebrate online and at home.
National Poetry Month wraps up with the annual Poetry & the Creative Mind virtual event on April 28 and Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 29. Poetry & the Creative Mind is a free virtual event that welcomes all poetry lovers to participate in a poetry celebration. This year’s event will be hosted by poets Richard Blanco and Terrance Hayes. Interested participants can sign up for the event on the Poetry & the Creative Mind website.
Poem in Your Pocket Day encourages individuals around the country to celebrate and share poetry in their daily life. The Academy of American Poets suggests several ways to get involved, including:
- Select a poem and share it on social media using the hashtag #PocketPoem.
- Record a video of yourself reading a poem, then share it on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or another social media platform you use.
- Email a poem to your friends, family, neighbors, or local government leaders.
- Schedule a video chat and read a poem to your loved ones.
- Add a poem to your email footer.
However you choose to celebrate, SDSL wishes you a happy National Poetry Month!
About SDSL
Email: library@state.sd.us
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