When was the last time you read a poem? Can’t remember? That’s a shame, because poetry is a powerful medium. It channels emotions into brief lines and phrases. For me and Word Nerds everywhere, poetry offers a fascinating study of the power and passion of words.
So we all need to read and write more.
Today is Poem in Your Pocket Day, a celebration of poetry started back in 2002 by the Office of the Mayor along with the New York City Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education. It’s become an important part of National Poetry Month, an annual event sponsored by The American Academy of Poets every April since 1996.
The American Academy of Poets has some great resources on its website, including a PDF with a great selection of poems to share and wonderful ideas for sharing them. Sidewalk chalk, handmade bookmarks, social media.
This year, I’m sharing “Instructions on Not Giving Up” by Ada Limon. It’s perfect for this season in my life. I love the colors of spring, the promise of the bright green leaves, the faith of this poem that so nicely voices the theme of my last blog post, The Ones with the Most Faith Win.
When all the shock of white
Ada Limon, “Instructions on Not Giving Up”
and taffy, the world’s baubles and trinkets, leave
the pavement strewn with the confetti of aftermath,
the leaves come. Patient, plodding, a green skin
growing over whatever winter did to us, a return
to the strange idea of continuous living despite
the mess of us, the hurt, the empty.
I don’t think I’m legally allowed to share the whole poem. You can find the entire piece, only 14 lines, here at poets.org. It’s lovely. Please read it and share it, or some other poem you find inspiring. I’d love to see more!
Have you heard of Poem in Your Pocket Day? What celebrations of poetry have you come across this month? What’s a poem you’d like to share?
Thanks for getting nerdy with me!
I struggle with poetry but love novels in verse. I suspect I’m not reading the right poems. I need to seek out more poetry.
You could sign up to receive a poem a day in your inbox. (Although, these days, I think really hard before signing up for any email lists- I’m trying to keep my inbox more manageable.) There is such a great variety of poetry out there- I bet you could find something that appeals.
I love this month and the reminder to read (and write?!) more poetry. Thanks for this.