If you're a poetry lover, this month is for you! The library is here to help you make the most of it, with resources and creative events for your enjoyment.
April 2023 marks the 27th annual celebration of National Poetry Month. Poetry in all its forms, from couplets to haiku to limericks to sonnets to blank or free verse, is a powerful way of expressing emotions. Strong poets can help readers and listeners feel their hopes and fears in a way they can comprehend. Poems can be funny, serious, romantic, and/or insightful, helping readers gain new insights into the experiences of people they may never meet—or perhaps know all too well.
For teens, CRRL is hosting the 20th Annual Claudia Emerson Poetry Contest, from April 1 through 15, with categories for grades 6-8 and grades 9-12. Each contestant may submit up to two entries. Find more contest information here.
For adults, CRRL is hosting the Share Your Haiku or Poetry Couplet event all month long. Interested adults can submit an original haiku or couplet to the library, and, with your permission, the library will publish your poems on the CRRL Twitter feed (twitter.com/crrlnews) the following week. Find more information at the online event listing.
For all ages, CRRL librarians have created a resource section filled with books to help you discover some of today’s best poets and poems, as well as find your own poetic voice. Find these resources and more on CRRL’s Celebrating Poetry page.
