Tag: Poetry is Public Art

public art: 6 Days until Poem in Your Pocket Day

Posted on by Catherine

Since National Poem in Your Pocket Day falls on April 21 this year–during school vacation–here are a couple local reminders from two libraries:

From Valerie Marino at Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library: “Attached is a photo of our poetry display: “Take a poem, leave a poem”. There are copies of poems in the basket, most  by local poets  (Lisa Manning, Tom Revson, Gwen Carr, Vincent Ferrini and Charles Olson); everyone is encouraged to take a poem or leave one – (an original or one special to them). We will gladly make copies so many people can enjoy them!”

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At TOHP Burnham Public Library in Essex you can pick a poem from the library’s poem tree to read to friends and family. On the 21st they have planned a special evening of poetry for all including local poets Kent Bowker, Karin Gertsch, and former Gloucester Poet Laureate, Rufus Collinson. Reminder: the library has temporarily moved out of the Town Hall and is open at 245 Western Avenue.

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Poem in Your Pocket Day is everyday  for some people, like my friend’s quiet poem tucking at Duckworths. I bet an FOB found one.

Public Art: Blooming Poetry. What are you doing this month to celebrate?

Posted on by Catherine

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National Poetry month celebrates a milestone this year: 20 years. If you haven’t heard of this commemorative theme, a generation of children has grown up with this awareness from a parent, teacher, librarian or friend. Please let us know of local events and programs honoring poetry this April so we can collect them in one spot (write in comments below and add to James Eves calendar). I am toying with ‘Terse Verse Thursdays’ as a possible theme for a series, because I’d love to share your poems on GMG. They don’t have to be strictly ‘terse verse’ where a two word rhyme response solves a question or statement.

In the meantime, you have two weeks till National Poem in Your Pocket Day. Although the date skips around annually, this year it falls on April 21 as it did in 2002 the year it was established. PIYP Day (not sure this acronym will ever have legs) was inspired by the Favorite Poem Project founded by Robert Pinsky, former Poet Laureate of the United States in 1997. Write your own or carry a favorite to share with others throughout the day. What will you choose?

Gloucester children can submit their original poems to Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library’s Poetry without Paper competition thanks to Christy Russo, John Ronan and volunteers who step up to serve on that jury panel.  Gloucester students can send their original poems to the Office of the Mayor, 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA, any month. Mayor Theken promises to read them! Students should include their name, which Gloucester school, and their grade. Mention a teacher if they’ve helped.

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