“National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of readers, students, K-12 teachers, librarians, booksellers, literary events curators, publishers, bloggers, and, of course, poets marking poetry’s important place in our culture and our lives.” Read more about the creation of National Poetry Month here at Poets.org.
Ways to participate in Utah:
POEMBALLS – Submit your short poems to Provo Poetry to be included in one of our POEMBALL Machines, featured in downtown Provo at Enliten Bakery and Cafe and Pioneer Book. Or, just take a few quarters to try out the machines and get some great poetry from local Utah poets.
30 Poems in 30 Days Contest – Write 30 poems based on daily prompts throughout the month of April. Winners will have a chapbook of their original poems produced by the Community Writing Center.
Poetry in the Garden – Be inspired by the natural world! Red Butte Garden hosts poetry boxes throughout the year, exhibiting both well known and lesser known poetry fitting with the changing seasons. Five poems are on display in the summer, fall, and winter. Eleven poems are exhibited during the spring with special “Poetry Month” programming happening during April.
4/5 Poetry for Kids – Kids can celebrate National Poetry Month with hands-on activities. 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Day-Riverside Branch Library. Blackout Poetry – Use paint, markers, and glitter to black out text on a page of writing to create a unique form of poetry.
4/5 Jam Night Poetry – WSU’s Student Association hosts “Jam Night Poetry,” open mic night, 6-8 p.m., Shepherd Union Waldo’s Corner Pocket, free, 801-626-6349 or weber.edu/WSUSA.
4/8 – 4/29 NaPoWriMo Workshop – 4-part workshop April 8, 15, 22, and 29 (S), 1-3 p.m. April is National Poetry Month! Join the CWC in celebrating poetry in this four-part workshop series. We’ll explore various genres of poetry, learn to compose poems, and practice writing, revising and sharing our work. You can also submit to our annual poetry contest! Cost: $40. Registration is required. Location: CWC, 210 East 400 South #8, SLC, UT.
4/11 Kimberly Johnson Poetry Reading & Open Mic – Poet Kimberly Johnson will read work from her most recent book Uncommon Prayer as the featured poet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Pioneer Book in Provo, followed by an open mic. Johnson visits Pioneer Book as a guest of the Rock Canyon Poets. The reading and open mic are open to the general public.
4/15 – 4/29 Poetry Zine Workshop for Teens – Teens 3-part workshop April 15, 22 & 29 (S), 2-4 p.m. April is National Poetry Month! Join the CWC and Utah Museum of Contemporary Art to explore poetry and create a zine of your work. All materials provided. This workshop is for teens, 13-18. Cost: Free. Registration is required. Location: Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, 20 South West Temple, SLC, UT.
4/17 Cowboy Poetry – Weber Southwest Branch Library – 2039 W. 4000 S. Roy, Utah (6:30 PM)
4/19 Poetry for Kids – Kids can celebrate National Poetry Month with hands-on activities. 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Day-Riverside Branch Library. Magnetic Poetry – Using provided materials, create word magnets that can be rearranged to form original lines of poetry.
4/21 Ellipsis Magazine Literature and Art Debut – Westminster debuts the new 2017 issue of its national literary magazine, ellipsis. A free reading will be presented by Matthew Gavin Frank. Poetry readings begin at 7 p.m. and are followed by book signings and receptions in the Foster Hall Faculty Lounge.
4/29 Poetry Reading: Nuclear Impact Utah – Poets on the Nuclear West – Presented in Partnership with Utah Writers Resist. Readers: Trish Hopkinson, Bonnie Shiffler-Olsen, Wade Bentley, Michael McLane. More poets – TBA. This event is in conjunction with the release of Nuclear Impact – Broken Atoms in Our Hands: An Anthology of Poetry edited by Teresa Mei Chuc.
Ways to participate nationally:
Download the National Poetry Month logo (in color, grayscale, for web or print)
Order a free National Poetry Month poster
Learn how to participate in National Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 27
Sign up to receive a poem-a-day in your email inbox
Participate in NaPoWriMo.net 30 poems in 30 days prompts and poet web site listings (kicks off in March, but you can see previous year prompts if you want to create your own list)
Participate in the 30 Day Poetry Challenge Facebook community, which posts a prompt each day in April and publishes an anthology later in the year
Provo Poetry 