The Day Has Arrived: National Poetry Month is Here!

THE COUNTDOWN IS OVER! THE DAY IS HERE!

Today begins the long-awaited NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!

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That's right, fellow poetry enthusiasts! We've been looking forward to today for quite some time, and we're thrilled that we can now officially celebrate! Because we've been waiting long enough...let's get going!

1. Follow along with us!

All month long, we're going to be doing all sorts of fun things to celebrate National Poetry Month! Each week, we'll be offering exclusive free printables, poems to read, new poetry prompts, and more. Make sure you check back with us every day! (It also might not hurt to bookmark this link)

source: poets.org

2. Request an official National Poetry Month poster.

3. Sign up for a poetry class.

Pssst: your editors signed up for this one.

4. Call, email, or send a letter to someone that inspired you to write. 

This could be an old professor, a relative, or really anyone!

5. Spend at least five minutes a day reading poetry.

6. Write every day. Really.

7. Check out your library.

Some libraries might have programming of their own going on, and you should definitely take advantage of it! If not, it can't hurt to wander their poetry collection and check out a new title. Go on, read someone new!

8. Learn everything about your favorite poet.

9. Attend (or speak at) a public poetry reading.

Your editors were super cool in college.

10. Guerilla Poetry. 'Nuff said.

OK, maybe some elaboration: help poetry bloom this spring by planting it in public places! (Like our garden analogy? We're feeling springy!) Obviously we don't condone graffiti, but chalking a poem or two on the sidewalk is one way to expose the average passerby to a glimpse of beauty.

11. Make your own chapbook.

Have a body of work that needs editing? Do you have a pile of poems that are complete, but unorganized? Challenge yourself to complete your own chapbook by April 30th.

12. Spread the word!

I'm continually surprised to find out people I've known for months (or years!) actually love to write. Why did I never think to share my passions with them sooner? Tell a friend about National Poetry Month, and you may just end up with a brand new writing buddy. You might also inspire someone who has never tried poetry to give it a whirl! Really, you can't go wrong. Tell everyone you know!

Go forth, dearest friends, and celebrate: this is our most wonderful time of the year!