In celebration of National Poetry Month all branches of JMRL will be handing out poem scrolls on Thursday, April 20, this year’s Poem in Your Pocket Day. Poems will also be handed out in various locations throughout Charlottesville and the Downtown Mall. Be on the lookout for free scrolls from some of your favorite businesses, or visit your local library. Pick up your very own poem and read it aloud to yourself, a friend, a coworker or a family member, or just keep it in your pocket for a rainy day. You never know what you’ll get!
If you’re a poet and you know it, stop by Central Library at 7 p.m. on April 20 for Poetry on the Steps. Read a few of your favorite or original poems, or just come to listen and enjoy some refreshments.
In the meantime, take a look at these books from the library to help you build your own personal collection of poems or to improve upon the ones you’ve already written:
The Crafty Poet: A Portable Workshop by Diane Lockward – A collection of poems, prompts, craft tips and interviews for aspiring and practicing poets.
A Poet’s Glossary by Edward Hirsch – Explores the traditions of poets throughout time and around the world and provides definitions of the art form’s devices, movements, “isms” and aesthetics.
Poet’s Market 2015 edited by Robert Lee Brewer – A practical handbook for aspiring poets that contains hundreds of up-to-date entries along with submission information, editorial requirements, interviews with successful writers, as well as access to an exclusive webinar.
Singing School: Learning to Write (And Read) Poetry by Studying with the Masters by Robert Pinsky – A former poet laureate provides informative introductions and sidebar notes for more than 80 poems by greats including William Butler Yeats, Emily Dickinson and George Herbert, in an effort to spark pleasure in reading and writing poems.
Triggering Town by Richard Hugo – A distinguished American poet examines the art and economics of writing, touching on communication, teaching, and inspiration
The Poetry Home Repair Manual by Ted Kooser – Provides instructions on writing and revising poems and examines the critical relationship between poet and reader.