Twenty-two years ago, the National Poetry Month had been born under the umbrella of the Academy of American Poets. Over the years, it had been supported by national media, schools, churches, hospitals, corporations, foundations, libraries, and countless poetry admires. The National Poetry Month generated priceless media coverage for poets and poetry in national newspapers and magazines, on radio and TV, and from various digital media outlets.
During the month of April, teachers all over the country get involved in their classrooms in poetry activities. Nationwide, bookstore sales of poetry increase each April by nearly 40% – helping new and emerging poets alike sustain their careers and their craft of rhyming.
In short, National Poetry Month provides a lasting opportunity to celebrate language exercise, to be inspired by the beauty of words, and to gain a greater appreciation for poetry’s role in shaping our culture. The growth and celebration of the National Poetry Month is unmistakable proof that poetry has broad appeal to people of all ages, and that poetry as an art can inspire interest for “emotions, thoughts, and words” and excitement in people from all backgrounds and all regions.
Every poem has a story and provides readers with many opportunities to study and enjoy the basic elements of rhymes, non-rhymed lyrics, and haiku style as a managed body of activities. Dr. Rollo May explains in his book “The Courage to Create” that any creative process grows throughout experiences, healthy optimism, sparkling motivation, and passion which absolutely not possible to fake. Every person sees sharper and more accurately when the emotions are involved. Indeed, we cannot really see an object unless we have some associations or emotional involvement with it. It may well be that this is the reason why we call upon the poetry as the state of creative writing. People say, “when you care – you there.”
Every stone is a teacher.
Every breeze has a language.
Every lake has a mirror.
Can you learn from a stone?
Can you talk to the wind?
Can you see every tree?
Thank you nature
For the wonderful gifts
For us to last.
There are stars on another end.
There are songs with a tone.
There are rivers with murmur.
There are stories of people
With many pages.
Perhaps that sound strange,
But good stories –
Make good friends.
They always are in trends.
To tell a story
You need courage,
Truth and character to match.
Ida Tomshinsky©2018
FNU Library Director
