It’s that time of year again. Sandwiched between chilly March and warm May is the soggy month of April, and poets everywhere rejoice! If I could have voted, I would have put national poetry month in July. Cocktails and beach chairs would have been part of this list, but I digress. I want to focus on 10 ways to support National Poetry Month.
National poetry month is one of those particular events that every poet should look forward to. Many poets, I believe, still don’t know that honorary month exists. It’s not like they do television commercials, and I don’t see many Google ads on the subject, but every poet should support this month of respect for poetry in some way. At the very least national poetry month reminds us that people know poetry and that many values the art form.
So, be you a poet or muggle, I mean not a poet, you should support our national poetry month. I’ve made a list of things to do below, some are for poets, and some anyone can do. Could you read them, do them, and enjoy the month?
1. Poetry Movies
Watch a poetry movie and encourage others to watch a film about poetry. I love Dead Poet Society; it may be the greatest poetry movie ever made. There are many others.
2. See a famous poet read.
This is not always easy, but if you keep your eye out and are lucky, you will see a famous poet lecturing at a local university. Go, watch the person read. Buy their book. Get a signature. If you are lucky, it will impact you. Many of the poets I’ve seen in person have become some of my favorite poets. You never know how hearing poetry from a skilled poet will change your life.
3. Honor National poetry month by being part of our Honoring national poetry month
So we are honoring national poetry month this year by writing Haiku. Go to our Haiku contest, like some haiku and write some haiku
4. Buy Poetry
Yes, I know this seems small, but buying poetry and poetry anthologies is, OF COURSE, the best way to support poets. It is a great help to feed the poet. I recommend going to an independent or online bookstore and buying an unknown poet. Buy poetry that needs to be purchased.
5. Take a poetry workshop.
This month, if you go online, you will see dozens of poetry and writing workshops popping up in cities around you. Go to one! Read other people’s poetry and write poetry. Also, if you organize a workshop, please have a special night for poetry.
6. Read
Go to a poetry reading and read your work. Read your work on the street. Read your work at school. Read your work into your cellphone and upload it to YouTube. Read your poetry aloud. Your voice is what makes poetry real!
7. Listen
Go to readings. Watch poetry on YouTube, find poetry, and listen to it. Find poetry you love, play it aloud and listen, listen.
8. Discuss
Find people to talk to about poetry. This is hard, but we always have poetry discussions on this site. You can go to our Poetry discussions page and drop a comment!
9. Write poetry and publish it.
Create some poetry! Write, write, write. The only authentic way to ensure that poetry stays alive is to create it. Then go to our literary magazines for poetry page and send your work to magazines. If you publish your work, you are insuring the livelihood of poetry. Please do it!
10. Support poets online.
This one is easy, go to your favorite social media, search for poets, and follow them. I follow all poets on twitter, @realeverywriter
As always, if you know of good ways to honor poetry and national poetry month, please leave comments and suggestions in the comments below!
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