NATIONAL POETRY MONTH: Keep Poetry Alive!

I know I'm late with this, being that it's the 9th day of April, BUT did you know that this is NATIONAL POETRY MONTH?

First celebrated in 1996, National Poetry Month is when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.

Thousands of businesses and non-profit organizations participate through readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events.

The Academy of American Poets has a list on their website of 30 Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month (one for each day of the month .. get it?? lol).

Here are some items on the list:

Read or Revisit a Poem:

There are soooo many sites where you can now view poems online. No more going to the library and copying your favs. You can print them out or just read them on the sites. Go back to some of your favorites and refresh your memory ... and rekindle your love for them.

I think the first poem I ever fell in love with was Maya Angelou's Phenomenal Woman. I'd known poetry before, but when I saw the movie "Poetic Justice," the words spoke to me so that my love for the art was not only renewed but strengthened.

Some of my other favs are:

• The Negro Mother by Langston Hughes (read more of his poems HERE)
• "The Mother" by Gwendolyn Brooks
• Alone by Dr. Maya Angelou

I'm also a fan of Nikki Giovanni, jessica care moore (she's on Facebook and MySpace!), Amiri Baraka (you've GOT to check out his piece on 9/11 called "Somebody Blew Up America"), Sonia Sanchez (check her out on video HERE), Saul Williams (who some remember as Lynn's celebate love on "Girlfriends"); plus some recording artists who are poets as well, like Lauryn Hill, Mos Def and Tupac Shakur.

Check them ALL out!

Recite a Poem at an Open Mic:

I have notebooks full of poems in my closet ... that I've shared with only a few. Writing is my release ... and it's so personal sometimes that I want to be selfish with it and kept it just between me and the Creator who gave me this gift.

But after reading about this special month, I'm inspired to share. Not here though lol ... You won't get me that easy! I think I'll take to the stage and share with my artistic and creative peers. (Keep reading!)

Attend a Poetry Reading:

I told you about POETIC PARADISE last week and the amazing efforts of a spiritually-driven brotha named POETIC X. I honestly believe that one day he'll be mentioned along with other great American poets.

And on his stage, maybe I'll share my gift. I'll tell you when though, and you better show up! :)

If you too, are the poetic type, there's a home for you on Thursday nights. Go HERE to find out more.

NOW ... If you're not up to attending an open mic night (or maybe you work that night or have other plans), you can always enjoy some poetry from the comfort of your home.

Go to YouTube and check out some excerpts/episodes of Def Poetry Jam or go RENT or BUY some season of the show and host a poetry party at your place!

Whatever you do, take a minute to celebrate this vivrant and essential art form. Whether you're a music lover, a spoken word fan or a master of rap .. you've been touched by lyrics ... and that's really what poetry is ....

So embrace it, recite it, read it, celebrate it ... and most importantly PASS IT ON to the next generation of poets :)