Celebrate National Poetry Month!

Dr Douglas Hyde conference. Photography. 

Encyclopædia Britannica ImageQuest. Web. 17 Mar 2016. 

Poetry can refine our experience through expressive, heightened, rhythmic and shifting tonal structures of language. It can wake us up.  —Anne Waldman, Academy of American Poets Chancellor 

Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful.—Rita Dove

If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry—Emily Dickinson

Poetry is an act of peace—Pablo Neruda
 

Poetry not only can soothe your soul and it can blow your mind. April is National Poetry Month and poetry lovers around the country are poised to celebrate this unique and ancient art form. Maybe you’re a seasoned poet or just tinkering with idea of writing your first poem. Maybe you adore listening to sonnets or maybe you would rather cheer on bawdy poets in barroom slams. Whether your poetic proclivity leans toward the Provencal, the Romantic, the Lyric, or the Beats, our collection offers a variety of ways to tickle your poetry fancy this month. 

From Homer to Dickinson, Kerouac to Angelou, we’ve got your poetry! Can’t decide who to read? Grab the Penguin Anthology of Twentieth-Century American Poetry. For a taste of local poets pick up the Harwood Anthology or the Corrales Writing Group 2014 Anthology. For a laugh read Poets Ranked by Beard Weight, for good cry read The Poets’ Wives, or seize the day and watch Dead Poets Society.

And don’t forget to check out our Poetry Guide to all things poetical, including links to our catalog, local poetry events, and poetry websites. One site you don’t want to miss is the Academy of American Poets where you’ll find Poetry Near You, Poem in Your Pocket Day, and 30 ways to celebrate national poetry month.

Poetry events at your library:  

Tony Hillerman Library offers a monthly poetry writing class for children and adults. Find out more at Poetry Around the World.

 Poetry Open Mic at Los Griegos Library meets every 4th Sat. Come read a poem or just listen to other poets. 

Join the New Mexico Poetry Alliance as they present their new anthology at Cherry Hills Library. Find out more at Author Reading: Muse with Blue Apples.

Poetry Experience: For adults (16 & up) at Central & Unser Library in the Community Room. Wednesday, April 20th at 5:30 p.m. Fold a poem for your pocket, listen to poetry, learn about different types or poems and create a poem or book spine poetry.