National Poetry Month (April) celebrates poetry of all types, the history of this writing form, poets from the past and those who are emerging on the scene now.
We can read and embrace poetry written by others, and reflect on the underlying meaning of what was written, how it made us feel.
President Bill Clinton issued a proclamation on April 1, 1996: “National Poetry Month offers us a welcome opportunity to celebrate not only the unsurpassed body of literature produced by our poets in the past, but also the vitality and diversity of voices reflected in the works of today’s American poetry.
“Their creativity and wealth of language enrich our culture and inspire a new generation of Americans to learn the power of reading and writing at its best.”
National Poetry Month offers us the opportunity to celebrate the beauty, charm, and passion in expressing our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs through poetry.
Writing, reading, and sharing poems can serve as mechanisms for healing from traumatic experiences, promoting emotional wellbeing, and alleviating stress.
Eight General Ideas for What You Can Do During April
Write a poem every day!!!!
Share your favorite poem with others.
Familiarize yourself with poetry written by Kari Gunter-Seymour who was reappointed by Governor Mike DeWine as Ohio’s Poet Laureate.
Read and reflect on poetry written by famous poets in the United States. As for me, I will be rereading poetry written by Maya Angelou, Sylvia Plath, Robert Frost, Walt Whitman, Langston Hughes, and E.E. Cummings.
Read a poem each morning. Consider signing up for Poem-a-Day at the Academy of American Poets’ website (www.Poets.org).
Attend a poetry event, program, class, or seminar.
Read a book about a famous poet that you are interested in, a book of poetry, or an anthology of poetry. To start, I suggest that you request assistance – if needed – from public services staff at the Ashland Public Library to get a picture of what is available.
Check out the section of the research library – at the Ashland County Historical Society, Carriage House – that is dedicated to local poets.
Some of the poets have published their works and/or have compiled their poems into booklets which have been donated.
National Poetry Month
To fully engage readers in this celebration, the local theme for National Poetry Month is “ASHLAND: Someplace Special.”
To Stimulate Your Thinking:
Respond to the following questions: From your perspective, what makes Ashland “Someplace Special?” Is there anything about Ashland that you believe needs to be changed? Or added to the “formula” to make Ashland truly a Special Place?
List up to 10 indicators of what makes Ashland “Someplace Special.” You may wish to think in terms of what has been continued, changed, updated, emerged since the pandemic.
They may include new businesses, events, initiatives that have been set in motion. Indicators might include specific agencies/organizations that have implemented programming to promote well-being and quality of life for all community members, specific age groups, etc.
List up to five issues that you believe need to be addressed or improved to continue with the movement to make Ashland “Someplace Special.” Or do you believe that we are already there?
To Stimulate Your Creative Writing Process, Crafting a Poem:
First off, keep in mind that anyone can write a poem! While there are many poetic forms, your first poem or subsequent poems do not have to be of a specific type, they do not have to rhyme or to be fixed in terms of number of lines or stanzas. They can be free verse, written in your unique style, written poetically or in a flowing style. Simply, express yourself by writing a sequence of lines, create stanzas if that feels “right” to you…. Just write!
There are several especially excellent resources addressing different poetic forms (the types grow very frequently). As a “starter” reference, check out “The Complete Guide of Poetic Forms: 100+ Poetic Form Definitions and Examples for Poets,” Robert Lee Brewer, 2020.
Write a poem about Ashland. What comes into play when our leaders and community members attempt to foster a sense of “community?”
Write a poem about an organization, an entity, a program, an initiative, a new business that – for one or multiple reasons – makes Ashland “Someplace Special.”
o Examples might include: Christmas Village; Ashland (Theater); Revitalization of Main Street; Family-Oriented Programming.
Write a poem about an issue that needs (or may need) to be further addressed for Ashland to truly be “Someplace Special.”
Issuing a Call for Older Poets/Poetesses: Write a poem about what Ashland was like in the past (e.g., 40 years ago), what made it unique and special.
As mentioned before, there are a variety of poetic forms, varying in terms of complexity, length, and set of criteria for completion. Consider writing an ACROSTIC poem about Ashland.
I find it to be a simple type of poem, one that is great to start the process of working with different poetic forms.
Acrostic poems are created by using the first letter of a word sequentially. For example, you could base your poem on the word ASHLAND. Lines can be made up of sentence fragments (e.g., nouns and adjectives) or complete sentences. Write the letters A-S-H-
L-A-N-D one-by-one down the left side of your paper (or type them in your document).
Then proceed with writing a poem.
As an example of an acrostic poem, I selected the words HOMEWARD BOUND, in honor of the Ashland County Dog Shelter, which aims to find “forever” homes for the dogs they care for.
I crafted the following:
H Helping find forever homes for those destined to be loving and beloved canine companions.
O Organized by dedicated community leaders, devoted dog warden, staff, and volunteers.
M Made almost magical by committed community members and dog lovers.
E Enthusiastic and generous individuals donate resources, gifts, and time to make the facility’s efforts be a total success.
W What will the future hold for those who are adopted, as the shelter searches to find the best fit for those who
A Are under their care, receiving love and companionship?
We all R Realize the importance and significance of their work.
D Dogs who are strays, who have been left behind or abused, and now
B Being able to heal in a safe and comforting setting, and find hope.
O Outdoor excursions offer them a time to walk, run, and play, remaining fully engaged
U Until that very special “Meet and Greet Day” arrives and they discover what it means to find a friend or family
N Needing them to be make their lives complete.
D Delighting others when their stories and photos are shared with FACEBOOK readers.
Closing Comments
Celebrate National Poetry Month! Embrace poetry through reading and writing poems. Learn about famous poets in the United States, Ohio, and locally. Share what you learn with others, enjoy the charm and beauty of poetry. Encourage others – of all ages – to read and write poems.
Diana Spore, PhD, MGS, is a freelance writer, social gerontologist, educator/researcher, and expert on mental health and aging. She has facilitated writing groups, developed writing-related workbooks, and been a presenter at conferences/workshops addressing creative writing, legacy writing, and journaling. Spore resides in Ashland County.