9 Ways To Celebrate National Poetry Month | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

9 Ways To Celebrate National Poetry Month

Spread your love of poetry in April

25
9 Ways To Celebrate National Poetry Month
Pexel

April is national poetry month! Whether you write, read, or listen to poetry, there are many ways to express your love of poetry. These nine ideas may spark your inspiration and help you celebrate poetry month.

1. Read a poem a day

This world is filled with all types of poetry; it’s not hard to find different poems to read each day (or each week, if you feel you don’t have time for a poem a day). Here are some poems to get you started:

W.B. Yeats: “Where My Books Go”

Ella Wheeler Wilcox: “Protest”

T.S. Eliot: “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock”

Mia You: “Contract Between Forward and Reply”

e.e. cummings: “Since Feeling is First”

2. Create a blackout poem

Grab a page from an old book and create a new poem by circling key words that stand out to you. Black out the other words on the page, or create a design to show off your poem.

3. Attend a poetry reading

You can find poetry readings near you here.

If there aren't any poetry readings in your area, Poetry Slam Inc has a lot of videos on their YouTube site.

4. Read new forms of poetry

If you tend to read the same types of poetry, explore the wide range of styles and try reading something new. If you like to read sonnets, for example, try reading more free verse poetry. If you like to read classic, older poems like those of Shakespeare, try reading more contemporary ones like those of Maya Angelou or Annie Finch.

5. Create a six word story

Put your writing skills to the test and create a six word story like Ernest Heminway's: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn."

Another short poem idea would be a "Twitter poem," where your poem must be 140 characters or less, like that of Billy Collins.

6. Watch a poetry movie

If you're not into writing poetry much, you can get in the spirit of national poetry month by watching a poetry movie.

"The Basketball Diaries" with Leonardo DiCaprio is based on the autobiography of poet Jim Carroll.

"Sylvia" with Daniel Craig and Gwyneth Paltrow portrays the relationship between poets Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes.

"Poetic Justice" starring Janet Jackson contains a couple of Maya Angelou's poems, and Angelou, herself, makes an appearance in this film.

"Before Night Falls" is based on the memoir of poet Reinaldo Arenas.

"Tom and Viv" tells the story of T.S. Eliot and Vivienne Haigh-Wood.

"Dead Poets Society" with Robin Williams contains many references to poets and poems.

7. Poem in your Pocket day

Poem in your Pocket day is April 27. All you have to do is carry around a poem in your pocket and share it with others.

8. Memorize a poem

National poetry month is a good reason to memorize a poem. Imagine how impressive it would be to recite a poem.

9. Put poetry in an unexpected place

Share your favorite poetry with the rest of the world by putting it in an unexpected place; write a poem with sidewalk chalk and let people discover it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198254
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19681
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461502
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28654
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments