National Poetry Month is a month-long, national celebration of poetry established by the Academy of American Poets. The concept is to widen the attention of individuals and the media—to the art of poetry, to living poets, to our complex poetic heritage, and to poetry books and journals of wide aesthetic range and concern. Their goal is to increase the visibility and availability of poetry in popular culture while acknowledging and celebrating poetry’s ability to sustain itself in the many places where it is practiced and appreciated.
There are many ways you can participate in National Poetry Month, including:
- Receive a Poem a Day in your inbox. Beginning April 1, Poets.org emails a new poem to your inbox each day to celebrate National Poetry Month. The poems have been selected from new books published in the spring.
- April 18th is Poem in Your Pocket Day. Simply select a poem you love during National Poetry Month, then carry it with you to share with co-workers, family, and friends.
- Miller Library will be hosting Poetry Workshops for adults and teens this month.
You can visit Poets.org for more information and ideas about National Poetry Month.
The 2024 poster features artwork by award-winning children’s author and illustrator Jack Wong, and lines from “blessing the boats” by beloved poet Lucille Clifton.
blessing the boats by Lucille Clifton (1936 – 2010)
(at St. Mary’s)
may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it will
love your back may you
open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence
sail through this to that
From Quilting: Poems 1987–1990 by Lucille Clifton. Copyright © 2001 by Lucille Clifton. Reprinted with permission of BOA Editions Ltd. All rights reserved.