April is Poetry Month, and you’re probably thinking, ugh, who knows what Shakespeare meant with all his poetry, but actually, we’re not only referring to historical poets and poems. The modern age has poetry written all over it! Think about it, what’s poetry other than ways of communicating to the world?

Poetry is an art, and it comes in many different forms, from simple greeting card inscriptions to the lyrics from a song. This month, we’re not only celebrating old and new poetry but also the history behind it. We honour poets’ lives and how they are inspiring a new generation of poets to change the landscape of the literary world.

How did Poetry Month start?

In 1996, The Academy of American Poets inaugurated Poetry Month after meeting with publishers, poets, and literary organisations to discuss the usefulness of celebrating poetry in 1995. Throughout the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world.

It’s an integral part of our culture, and therefore, it’s celebrated by schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers and poets. Every year the Academy commission posters and distribute it to schools, libraries and community centres for free. In addition, publishers publish compilations of poetry during the month.

Kids are introduced to a variety of different poetic forms as well as poets from all kinds of schools. Ultimately, it’s a time to discuss the art form, debate it, learn from the poets of the past, and inspire younger generations to create poetry that allows them to express themselves and their experiences.

How to celebrate Poetry Month?

If you’re interested in learning how to write poetry, follow this link to our blog. Alternatively, you could start a local poetry club for people in your community to meet up with poet lovers and schedule meetings to discuss poetry.

Share this celebration with family, friends, colleagues, and your classroom with various activities, initiatives, and resources offered by the Academy so that all can join in online and at home, and hopefully, find comfort, resilience and connection throughout April and beyond:

• Print and display the official 2021 Poetry Month poster.
• Read about 30 ways to celebrate Poetry Month online and at home.
• Read about 30 ways to celebrate Poetry Month in the virtual classroom.
• Join the Academy of American Poets for its first-ever virtual Poetry & the Creative Mind gala on 29 April.
• Participate in the 2021 Dear Poet Project by 30 April.
• Sign up for Poem-a-Day and enjoy a free daily poem in your inbox.
• Follow the thousands of celebrations on social media with the hashtag #PoetryMonth and follow American Poets’ Academy on Twitter @POETSorg.
• Share a #pocketpoem on Poem in Your Pocket Day on 29 April.

Whether you choose any of the activities above or come up with your own initiative, please include the youth in teaching them about poems… They might just fall in love with it! Have fun, PNA fans!