Along with the start of springtime, April is known for National Poetry Month—the largest literary celebration in the world. Millions of poetry fans celebrate and demonstrate poetry’s important place in our culture. National Poetry Month is about highlighting the extraordinary legacies of poets, encouraging wider poetry reading and increasing the attention and support of poetry in education.
Poetry is a cultural art form that combines both the beauty of literature and an artistic sense of musicality. Here are a few ways to get involved this National Poetry Month.
1. Memorize a famous poem. Sounds simple enough, right? However, if you find a challenging poem, memorizing can be difficult. Try something new by memorizing a famous poem you enjoy, and see how much you can impress others with your hidden poetry talent.
2. Write a poem. One great way to celebrate National Poetry Month is by writing your own poem. Get creative and stretch your abilities to see if you have a hidden talent.
3. Collaborate on a poem with friends. If you really want to get out of your comfort zone, think about collaborating on a group poem with friends or family members. See if there are any writing or poetry programs online to collaborate on poetry together.
4. Start a poetry reading group. Keep things going even beyond National Poetry Month by starting a poetry reading group with other interested friends, family or co-workers. Or, see about starting a group with people in your community who want teaching and support.
5. Read a daily poem. Get in the spirit of things by selecting a new poem to read each morning this month. Share it with friends and family to start your day off on a high note.
6. Share a poem with students. If you’re a teacher, tutor or someone who spends time with students, share a poem with them to foster a love of poetry. Help encourage poetry writing and teaching for years to come.
7. Buy a book of poetry. All your favorite poems in one place. Buy a poetry book so you can enjoy poetry this month, or pay it forward by donating a poetry book to someone or an organization you love.
8. Sign up for a poetry class. If you’re not sure about your poetry abilities, sign up for an online class to learn more.
9. Write a Mother’s Day poem. Don’t forget that Mother’s Day is also just around the corner. Surprise your mother or a mother figure in your life by writing a Mother’s Day poem to brighten her day.
Celebrate this National Poetry Month by learning more, trying it out for yourself and sharing the gift with others. Poetry is a beautiful way to express creativity, have fun and enjoy literary works.
