Library celebrates national poetry month

Every April, organizations across America celebrate National Poetry Month. It is a great opportunity to focus on this genre of literature. One of poetry’s great contributions is that it works to expand everyday words to hold more nuance, emotion and meaning. It helps us to share our deepest feelings and connect with others in our sadness and joy. Poetry contributes to shared understanding and helps us communicate with those around us in ways that can be difficult, especially in a time of social distancing, remote learning and canceled celebrations. It helps us feel more connected to each other and the world around us.

National Poetry Month was established in 1996, by the Academy of American Poets. Their goal is to increase visibility and access to poetic works.

While the pandemic has prohibited access to in-person activities, there are still many online resources for celebrating poetry for all ages.

The Academy of American Poets (poets.org) is great for finding information about poetry events and resources across the country. You can read about our state Poet Laureate, Claudia Castro Luna, and explore her works. You can find poetry – specific literary organizations, writing programs and landmarks in Washington. You can also sign up to receive poems by email each day and check out poetry events across the state.

If you would like to know more about local poetry efforts, the Skagit River Poetry Foundation was founded right here in La Conner in 1998. Visit skagitriverpoetry.org to learn about their amazing work bringing poetry to local schools and helping students understand the power of this medium.

They have school outreach and festival plans for 2022.

The Library of Congress Poetry Resources has extensive poetry offerings on its website (loc.gov).

There you can find links to things such as poetry webcasts, civil war poetry and resources for exploring the history of American poetry.

One of my favorite collections is the Archive of Recorded Poetry and Literature.

Started in 1943, the Archive of Recorded Poetry has built a collection of nearly 2,000 recordings of poets and prose writers who have participated in literary events at the Library of Congress.

Although most of these recordings were originally captured on magnetic tape reels, progress is being made to digitize these national treasures and greatly broaden access to our nation’s poetic history.

At poetryfoundation.org readers of all ages can find poetry they are sure to love. Their extensive collection includes categories such as poems of hope and resilience, poems for racial justice and equality and poems of sorrow and grieving. They also feature selections for children and teens.

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the La Conner Library is happy to announce what we hope will become an annual library poetry program. Residents of all ages are invited to submit original poems to the library. Adults and children alike are welcome to participate and three winners will be drawn from two age groups. For purposes of this program, adults are categorized as 18+ and everyone else as under 18.

To be eligible to win, submissions must include a first name, phone number or email and which age category is being entered (adult or under 18). Winners will be selected at random and receive a $5 gift certificate to the La Conner Coffee Company for the treat of their choice.

Poem length/size must fit on one single side of an 8.5x11 sheet of paper. Poems will be posted in the library windows as long as space allows.

Poems may be submitted in three ways: email to [email protected], mail to the Library at PO Box 370, or handwritten and placed in the book drop.

We look forward to your submissions! Happy writing!

Fair is library director.