NATIONAL GREAT POETRY READING DAY
At the tail end of National Poetry Month, April 28th marks the observance of National Great Poetry Reading Day. This day celebrates distinguished poetry and the notable poets who wrote them.
#GreatPoetryReadingDay
As an art form, poetry may predate literacy. Epic poetry appears to have been composed in poetic form to aid memorization and oral transmission in prehistoric and ancient societies. It is directly from folk songs that other types of poetry developed.
When is National Poem In Your Pocket Day?
With so many forms of poetry to choose from, no one is limited. For example, choose from the sonnet, shi, villanelle, tanka, haiku, ode, and ghazal. There are also different genres of poetry including narrative, epic, dramatic, satirical, lyric, elegy, verse fable, prose, and speculative poetry.
Some of the well-known, great poets include William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Robert Frost, Mark Twain, Emily Dickinson, Maya Angelou, and T.S. Eliot.
HOW TO OBSERVE GREAT POETRY READING DAY
- Who is your favorite great poet? Share a verse or two with others.
- Introduce the great poets to someone you know.
- Settle back, relax, and read your favorite poetry.
- Complete the Poetry Month word search to discover more about poetry.
- Explore the poems of William Blake or John Keats. If you’re unfamiliar with Maya Angelou, discover her poetry now. Perhaps a few lines of E.E. Cummings or Elizabeth Barrett Browning will complete the day. Who are we missing? Silvia Plath? Oscar Wilde? William Carlos Williams? You tell us.
- Host a small poetry reading in your living room. Pick your favorite poems and read them aloud.
- Attend a poetry slam.
- Explore the poetry section at the library.
- Share your poetry with others or start a poetry group.
- Discover local poets and grow your library.
- Use #GreatPoetryReadingDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL GREAT POETRY READING DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues to research the origins of this poetry holiday. However, we have found it has been celebrated since at least 1994.
Poetry FAQ
Q. Does poetry have to rhyme?
A. No. Many poetry styles do not have a rhyming scheme.
Q. Is a song a poem?
A. A song may be a poem that has been set to music.