It’s National Poetry Month – yay! I love to read poetry but don’t do it often enough so this month is a great reminder to get my books of poems out and/or explore new poems.
In case you need some ideas on how to celebrate National Poetry Month, other than just reading some great poems, check out Poets.org 30 Ways to Celebrate. I especially love the idea of putting poetry in an unexpected place.
Serena of Savvy Verse and Wit is hosting a month long poetry tour on her blog so check it out.
Here in Austin we have the 22nd Annual International Poetry Festival so I’m definitely going to try to make it to at least one of the readings. What about you, got some plans to celebrate National Poetry Month?
Here’s a poem excerpt I have to share. I read on my Poetry Foundation App today and I think you’ll like it.
Of Modern Books
By Carolyn Wells
Of making many books there is no end,
Though myriads have to deep
oblivion gone;
Each day new manuscripts are
being penned,
And still the ceaseless tide of ink
flows on.
Though myriads have to deep
oblivion gone,
New volumes daily issue from the press;
And still the ceaseless tide of ink
flows on–
The prospect is disheartening, I
confess.
New volumes daily issue from the
press;
My pile of unread books I view
aghast.
The prospect is disheartening, I
confess;
Why will these modern authors
write so fast?
Thanks so much for pointing your readers to the blog tour. I do have a couple dates open still if you’d like to jump on the tour.
Excellent poem! And how cool that you have an international poetry festival in your area!
Love it! You are my most poetry-oriented blog friend, so I can always count on you to remind me to celebrate.
Oh, I do like it! What is the form? It isn’t a villanelle, but I’ve seen this pattern before: the second line becomes the first line for the next stanza, etc.
Thanks for all the links!
A pantoum, I think. Anyway, I love the repetition that rounds out the poem.
I love the poem! I used to write poetry, but found that my best ideas came when I was bored in math class of all places. I try to write some now and then, but poetry doesn’t come as naturally to me as it does for some.
*yay* for National Poetry Month and thanks for sharing the poem.
“My pile of unread books I view aghast.”<-ain't that the truth.
Serena – Thank you hosting a fun event to celebrate National Poetry Month. I’ll take a look to see if any of the free dates might work for me. Thanks again!
Stefanie – I liked it a lot too. I hadn’t read anything by this poet before so I’m glad I discovered her. I have a friend in town this weekend so I’m not sure if I’ll get to go to the event but I’ll try!
Tiffany – Glad I can help 🙂
Jenclair – It’s been forever since I studied poetry and I can’t remember but I think pantoum may be right. I do enjoy poems that rhyme even or that have a structure that I can follow.
Literary Feline – Oh I am not a math person at all… I should have been writing poetry in math class too! haha… I wrote poetry a few years ago and don’t know why I don’t anymore. It’s just such a wonderful way to be creative!
bookworm – Is that not a great line or what?! Hope you enjoy poetry month too!