April is National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. It has become one of the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture. 

The UWSP Libraries will virtually celebrate the power or poetry throughout the month by posting poems, sharing Poetry Readouts from our campus community, and we will rely on YOU to share the love of poetry around our community, especially during these times. 

Check out our POETRY GUIDE that includes UWSP faculty and staff reading poetry throughout the month. 

Here are ways you can participate and celebrate:

1) Sign-up for Poem-a-Day and read a poem each morning. 

2) Begin your virtual meetings or classes by reading a poem.

3) Read about your state poet laureate. (Wisconsin's poet laureate is Margaret Rozga)

4) Browse Poems for Kids.

5) Ask your librarian what e-books of poetry the Libraries may have.  

6) Organize a poetry reading, open mic, or poetry slam via a video conferencing service. 

7) Take a walk and write a poem outside (sidewalk chalk works well)

8) Read and share poems about the environment in honor of Earth Day (April 22)

9) Create a poem to virtually share on Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 30. (more on this will be announced later)

10) The Academy of American Poets has created a "Shelter In Poems" project. They invite anyone to share poems on social media with the hashtag #ShelterInPoems. The Academy will select some of those poems to be featured on that page.  

Thank you all for helping share poetry in a time when it is so needed. Here is a popular children's poem to leave you with:

Trees

Joyce Kilmer - 1886-1918

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.