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April Is Poetry Month ~ What Are You Reading?

 in Poetry by

April is Poetry Month when readers and word loving people are encouraged to delve into poetry instead of prose and explore the world of words.

Often considered a rarefied medium and quite high brow poetry definitely isn’t for everyone, and often is shunned by students and the public at large. Quite interesting really as the first forms of literature for infants is often poetry and nursery rhymes. Think Mother Goose and all the little rhymes that children learn, The Owl And The Pussycat, Three Little Speckled Frogs, The Wheels On The Bus, and so much more. The repetitive rhythm of these gives a physical comfort to young ones and act as something calming and assuring as you know what is coming next.

So, what happens when you grow up? Well, there are no doubt books, articles and research into why poetry falls out of favor. Possibly the spareness of words, the depth of focus, the lack of where it is going? Who knows? Nevertheless April is the month where we are encouraged to spend a little time with poems. And as in other years we will reflect on some.

Hopefully we will find a poem or two that speaks to you, introduces you to something fresh. And there are lots of interesting poems here from other years. Just put poem in the search box.

What do you think? What are you reading?

April is Poetry Month

 in Poetry by

April is Poetry Month and so in honor of it I thought I would share some poems throughout the entire month. I think today would be a nice day to share some Spring poems as we are supposedly in spring and I do not know one person who wants Winter to stay.

Daffodowndilly

by A.A. Milne

She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,
She wore her greenest gown;
She turned to the south wind
And curtsied up and down.
She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,
And whispered to her neighbor:
“Winter is dead.”

Showery Time

by Evaleen Stein

The April rain-drops tinkle
In cuckoo-cups of gold,
And warm south winds unwrinkle
The buds the peach-boughs hold

In countless fluted creases
The little elm-leaves show,
While white as carded fleeces
The dogwood blossoms blow.

A rosy robe is wrapping
The early red-bud trees;
But still the haws are napping,
Nor heed the honey-bees.

And still in lazy sleeping
The apple-buds are bound,
But tulip-tips are peeping
From out the garden ground.

And yonder, gayly swinging
Upon the turning vane,
A robin redbreast singing
Makes merry at the rain!


The First Red-Bird

by Evaleen Stein

I heard a song at daybreak,
So honey-sweet and clear,
The essence of all joyous thing
Seemed mingling in its cheer.

The frosty world about me
I searched with eager gaze,
But all was slumber-bound and wrapped
In violet-tinted haze.

Then suddenly a sunbeam
Shot slanting o’er the hill,
And once again from out the sky
I heard that honied trill.

And there upon a poplar,
Poised at its topmost height,
I saw a little singer clad
In scarlet plumage bright.

The poplar branches quivered,
By dawn winds lightly blown,
And like a breeze-swept poppy-flower
The red-bird rocked and shone.

The blue sky, and his feathers
Flashed o’er by golden light,
Oh, all my heart with rapture thrilled,
It was so sweet a sight!


If It’s April It’s National Poetry Month

 in Poetry by

April is National Poetry Month where we celebrate poetry and poets who craft such detailed thoughts in few words. Throughout America schools, libraries, booksellers and individuals have events and activities to highlight this wonderful form. To participate is easy – and you don’t even have to be in America! There are many ways you can take parts HERE and during this month we will take a look at some of the suggestions. My favorite is Poem In Your Pocket day (April 18) when you simply just put a poem in your pocket, or how about Take A Poem Out to Lunch? Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

During this month MLCWO will discover some new and old favorites and we can take a wander through the world of poetry.

 

 

 

National Poetry Month 2014

 

April is National Poetry Month

 in Loving Language by
by Guest Blogger M.O.M

Wow, a whole month devoted to poetry! That is quite impressive don’t you think? So, in recognition of this important event here are some thoughts to share with you.

National Poetry Month is a month-long celebration of poetry that was established by the Academy of American Poets. It aims to bring attention to poetry so that it can reach a wider audience and be appreciated by more. But why you might ask? In this age of 140 characters and abbreviated txtng why should we read poetry? Well, that is a good question and really requires a full and thoughtful answer. Another time. When the month isn’t about to end and we haven’t even posted a great, inspiring poem to justify the discussion. We can talk about it later. In honor of  this month here is a poem….a favorite.

Never Trust Dragons

‘I see you’ve arrived,’ the dragon said,
bright eyes like beacons set in his head.

‘Yes’ said the vet. ‘Left as soon as I knew
Now tell me the problem, a touch of the ‘flu?’

‘My flame has gone out, I can’t raise a spark,
not much use when you hunt in the dark.’

The vet peered down the gigantic throat,
black as a chimney and reeking of soot.

He threw in some petrol, a match to ignite,
firelighters, coal, and some dynamite.

The dragon covered a burp with his paw,
a flicker of flame flashed dlown his jaw.

He licked his lips with a golden tongue:
‘Take your fee, vet, you’d better run.

I can feel my fires boil, they are returning.
In a couple of minutes you could be burning.’

Clutching a diamond the size of a star,
the vet scampered away to his car.

As he drove off the dragon’s bright fire
gushed out of the cave and scorched his tires.

The vet snapped his fingers, laughed at the brute
because he was wearing his flame-proof suit.

David Harmer

from Dragon Poems by John Foster and Korky Paul

Poetry Where You Least Expect It

 in Poetry by

It is National Poetry Month, the month long celebration of written things that don’t actually run on to the end of the line. (Sorry poets, this is a very poor description!) And it is sad to say that unless you deliberately search for it online you won’t know it was happening. You don’t really see it anywhere. Is anyone paying any attention to it? Probably Shakespeare’s big anniversary overshadowed it.

Like green vegetables to children poetry is most often an acquired taste. Not found too often, requiring focus and often some hard work we tend to avoid it. Unless you are a language purist who finds tight phrases and thoughtful pauses to your liking. However, poetry does lurk in some places where you least expect it. Have you watched a movie lately?

Poems are often hiding in movies. Either in a story about a poet or writer, as a side character or to add heightened drama in a special moment. They are there, and the choice of poems are often surprising and exciting. For the last few days of April let’s take a look at some poems that are hiding in the movies.

If you want a selection of movies about poets or with poetry as a main theme Poets.org has a great list to start with. Of course it includes “Dead Poets Society” with Robin Williams playing a passion fueled teacher lighting up the young men in his class.

 

“Four Weddings And A Funeral” a light hearted look at a group of friends and relationships has the deeply moving “Funeral Blues” by  W H Auden – a poem that sent more people to bookstores  than imaginable after hearing it in the movie.

If you really want to exhaust the topic MUBI has, what must be the most extensive list which is perfect for a rainy day, or total immersion. Go check out a couple…..you might something you love.