“Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.” – poets.org
Find some inspiration at the National Poetry Month display in the library, or celebrate with one of the following ideas:
- Read a book of poetry – ask your librarians for some recommendations!
- Sign up to receive a poem-a-day
- Join thousands of others on April 30 for Poem In Your Pocket Day
- View or create your own free verse photo at the Free Verse Project
- Attend a poetry reading near you
The Enkindled Spring
D.H. Lawrence
This spring as it comes bursts up in bonfires green,
Wild puffing of emerald trees, and flame-filled bushes,
Thorn-blossom lifting in wreaths of smoke between
Where the wood fumes up and the watery, flickering rushes.
I am amazed at this spring, this conflagration
Of green fires lit on the soil of the earth, this blaze
Of growing, and sparks that puff in wild gyration,
Faces of people streaming across my gaze.
And I, what fountain of fire am I among
This leaping combustion of spring? My spirit is tossed
About like a shadow buffeted in the throng
Of flames, a shadow that’s gone astray, and is lost.