Pen a poem at the Poetry Foundation #AtoZChallenge
As in years past, this month I’m participating in the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. 2016 marks my fifth anniversary, so to celebrate, I’m hosting Friday Blog-Ins here in San Diego; you can find out more info about where we’re meeting each week on my A to Z Challenge page.
My monthly theme is Chicago From A to Z, so stay tuned from Monday to Saturday for new posts on the Windy City. Or sign up for my mailing list (delivered weekly, on Fridays) so you don’t miss a thing!
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Did you know that in addition to being A to Z Challenge month, April is also National Poetry Month?
In light of this fact – as well as the news that April 21 is “Poem in Your Pocket Day” – it seems fitting that in Chicago, P is for Poetry Foundation.
Poetry Foundation image by Alanscottwalker, via Wikipedia
Located at 61 W. Superior Street, the Poetry Foundation is open to the public – whether you’re a poet (and you know it) or not – from 11 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday.
The Foundation’s library also has extended hours before their Open Door Readings on Tuesdays, from 4 to 7 PM. The library houses nearly 30,000 books of poetry, as well as a selection of both local and national literary magazines. Perfect for browsing new places to submit your poems, or gleaning inspiration from published poets.
“Poetry Foundation Library” image by Flickr user Steven Vance
Each Open Door Reading features new and emerging poets from Chicago area writing programs, with readings from both poetry instructors and students. This week’s reading (tonight!) features Northwestern University’s Katie Hartsock and her student Megan Pan, along with the University of Chicago’s Rosanna Warren and her student Tim DeMay.
In addition to the Open Door Readings, the Foundation hosts many other events, including the Harriet Reading Series, panel discussions, performances, Wednesday Poemtime for children (ages 2 to 5), poetry-themed gallery exhibits, more readings, and workshops. Be sure to check out their Events page to see what’s coming up.
And in addition to all of that, the Foundation also publishes Poetry magazine – which has been in publication since 1912.
As you can see, the Poetry Foundation is extremely busy with anything and everything to do with the creation, presentation and preservation of poetry.
In honor of National Poetry Month’s 20th anniversary this year, I wrote a haiku for the occasion:
ink-stained poets trace
shadows on paper, words flow
like mighty rivers
And if you prefer to read poems by poets much more talented than I am, I highly recommend signing up for Poets.org’s Poem-A-Day service. You’ll receive one unpublished poem, every day, in your inbox.
Additional Resources
Chicago Poetry Tour
Poets.org: National Poetry Month
Poetry Foundation
Poetry magazine
Your turn!
Who’s your favorite poet, and what’s your favorite poem?
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