Learn. Grow. Give.

April is National Poetry Month!

I could never have dreamt that there were such goings-on
in the world between the covers of books,
such sandstorms and ice blasts of words,,,
such staggering peace, such enormous laughter,
such and so many blinding bright lights,, ,
splashing all over the pages
in a million bits and pieces
all of which were words, words, words,
and each of which were alive forever
in its own delight and glory and oddity and light.[1]

Welsh poet Dylan Thomas begins the Minnesota Humanities Center’s first post for National Poetry Month. The Academy of American Poets established National Poetry Month as a month-long celebration to increase the visibility and availability of poetry in popular culture. Since 1996 April has played host to a surge in readings, publications, podcasts and more centered around what Christopher Fry calls “the language in which man explores his own amazement.”

I find that poetry travels parallel the humanities as a concept. The humanities are a set of disciplines which study the human condition, which analyze and speculate, as opposed to the more empirical approach of the natural and social sciences. Through literature, philosophy, religion and more, our perceptions are reflected back to us through the wisdom of others in an attempt to lead more meaningful and engaged lives. So, too, in this way can poetry be seen not to measure or prove the machinations around us, but observe, distill, and even enlighten through “ice blasts of words”, to quote Thomas. Like the humanities, poetry involves engagement of both the soul and the cerebellum in its appreciation and application in daily life.

That said, how does one celebrate National Poetry Month? Good question. Poets.org (http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/47 ), created by The Academy of American Poets, features no fewer than 30 ways we can celebrate the occasion. I’ll mention a few to consider:

1. Read a book of poetry. Revisit an old favorite, or challenge yourself and explore an unknown! Minnesota itself is a hotbed of poetry activity.
2. Attend a poetry reading. Like poetry itself, there is a variety of formats to choose from. The “Readings” sections of both the City Pages (http://www.citypages.com/events/category/readings-and-lectures-118494/) and Pulse (http://www.pulsetc.com/topics.php?op=viewtopic&topic=24) publications maintain a steady flow of what’s up with the local word.
3. Read a poem at an open mic. There are a number of open mics in the Twin Cities. St. Paul’s historic jazz club, the Artists’ Quarter, features an open poetry mic on Monday evenings at 9 p.m. Challenge yourself and share some poetry in this great subterranean grotto. Note: April is also National Jazz Month!
4. Support literary organizations. Read international; buy local. Minnesota has a healthy number of literary organizations from The Loft to big-name presses like Coffeehouse Press, Milkweed Editions, Graywolf Press, and smaller presses such as Whistling Shade, Spout Press, and RockSaw Press. Buy their books. Attend their readings.
5. Promote public support for poetry. Let your Senators and Representatives in Congress know that the arts are important to you and either thank them for funding literature among the other arts or encourage them to increase funding levels. On a smaller level tell your friends! Leave a poem on a café table. You might even consider writing a blog post on National Poetry month.

 Next week we’ll take a look at World Poetry Month (yes, World) and some great, free resources for teachers wishing to share poetry in their classrooms.

 How will YOU celebrate National Poetry Month? We want to know!

 Michael Gause is a poet, humanities enthusiast, and grants manager for the Minnesota Humanities Center and will be providing poetry posts for poetry month.