Markita's Book Bites: April is National Poetry Month

 

      

National American Poetry Month was established by the Academy of American poets in April of 1996, citing inspiration from Black History Month and Women’s History Month. This monthly celebration plays an integral part in April, in reminding people of poetry and how much of an impact it plays on people. Britannica defines Poetry as “literature that evokes a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience or a specific emotional response through language chosen and arranged for its meaning, sound, and rhythm.” It comes in many forms and can be told in numerous ways, such as free verse, haikus, epics, and rhymed poetry are just a few of the distinct types of ways poetry has been done. Poetry conveys a thought from a poet and can be interpreted in separate ways depending on the person. It resonates with people differently, but still makes an impact.  

In our collection we have added new titles that deal with topics like break ups, racial disparities, to birds, and growing old. Here is a brief list of some of those titles: 

• An American Sunrise by Poet Laureate of the United States, Joy Harjo 

• Coming to Age: Growing Older with Poetry, Edited by Mary Ann Hoberman and Carolyn Hopley 

• Un-American by Hafizah Geter 

• F*ck You Haiku: Little Breakup Poems to Help You Vent, Heal, and Move On by Kristina Grish 

• Snow Birds by Kirsten Hall 

• No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History, Edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley