[Note from Frolic: We’re so excited to welcome our friends from little infinite to the site today. They have some excellent ideas of how you can celebrate National Poetry Month this April!]
Celebrate everything you love about poetry this April.
Back in 1996, the Academy of American Poets founded National Poetry Month to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the US. They deemed April, National Poetry Month and it has become one of the largest literary celebrations in the world.Â
Poetry month is all about celebrating everything we love about poetry and how it affects our lives. It’s a time to read poems, write your own verse, and support your favorite poets. Most importantly, it’s a time to get excited about poetry and let that excitement carry you into the rest of the year.
Whether you prefer to write a bit of verse, or are simply a fan of reading, join in the festivities! Who knows, you might find a new favorite poet, read a poem that gives you perspective, or create your own masterpiece.
Here are a few ways you can celebrate National Poetry Month this year.
little infinite Celebrates National Poetry Month
As a modern lifestyle poetry website, little infinite always celebrates everything poetry (it’s our thing.) In honor of our favorite month of the year, we go all out for National Poetry Month.Â
little infinite Poetry Contest: What does poetry mean to you?
Express your appreciation for poetry in 30 lines or less for a chance to win a $300 gift Visa card. Your poem will also be featured on little infinite’s social media. It’s a great way to showcase your talent! See more details, here.
NaPoWriMo:
What is NaPoWriMo you ask? NaPoWriMo is a challenge during the month of April to write a poem each day of National Poetry Month. Don’t know quite where to get started? Get your hands on little infinite’s free interactive poetry workbook, here. Full of helpful resources, writing prompts, and tools to get you creating. No matter your relationship with writing, this guide is perfect for NaPoWriMo.Â
Frolic Romance Writing Prompts:
frolic and little infinite teamed up to celebrate National Poetry Month the best way we know-how. What is more romantic than poetry? Love has inspired verse for thousands of years. So, what better way to find poetic inspiration than some romantic writing prompts? You’ll be surprised at what magic you can create with frolic x little infinite’s downloadable Romance Writing Prompts Workbook.
Interact with Hashtags
One of the most adventurous places to find out what is going around the world for National Poetry Month is exploring hashtags on social media. #NationalPoetryMonth will be filled with people sharing their favorite poems and collections. Some other hashtags we recommend scrolling through are: #poetrycommunity, #poetsofinstagram, #lipoetry and #littleinfinitepoetry. Together, those five hashtags have over 32 million pieces of content. Many of these will be original, while others will simply share their favorite published poem.Â
Posting your own work with the same hashtag is another great way to interact with the community. You’re sure to find fellow poetry lovers and a few amazing new poets. It’s an endless world of poetic discovery.
Attend a Poetry Reading
There is nothing quite like a live poetry reading. Hearing a poem read aloud allows another level to its experience, its meaning, its rhythm, and its power. While the world may still be shuttered due to the pandemic, there are plenty of ways to enjoy live poetry. Last year poetry readings went online, and while a virtual reading might not be the same as a live one, they have their unique perks.Â
Virtual readings have made poetry events more accessible, you can attend a poetry reading anywhere in the country! This is a great way to not only discover new poets but also to spread your support of the poetry community. Hopefully, we will all be able to attend live readings soon, but until then, celebrating online is a fun option.
Poetry in Public
A professor once challenged my poetry class to put poetry out in the world. He didn’t mean publishing poetry or posting on Instagram, he meant putting up poetry in unlikely public spaces. Share poetry with people who might not go looking for it.
Here are a few examples of how you can share poetry in public:
- Print out a poem and post it on a bulletin board or in a bathroom stall.
- Write your favorite poem on the sidewalk in chalk
- Write a few lines on a sticky note and stick them around the grocery store
- Leave an inspiring poem on the windshield of a car
- Go to a park and have an impromptu poetry reading
Just remember the rules: 1. Have fun. 2. Don’t damage or deface property.
Of course, these are only a few ways to celebrate National Poetry Month in 2021. If you are looking for more, make sure to check out your local library, bookstores, or schools to see if there are any local events taking place. Or, if you prefer a more laid back celebration, all you have to do is pick up your favorite poetry collection and enjoy. And of course, keep up with little infinite, as we celebrate poetry all year round.Â
