(Inter)National Poetry Month

I’m quite dizzy with anticipation! In the U.S., National Poetry Month is almost here, which is such a cool thing. I mean, a whole month devoted to poetry. As far as I know, there’s no National Fiction Month or National Short Story Month. Maybe there should be. Maybe we should get rid of a few other National fill-in-the-blank Months, such as:

National Caffeine Awareness Month
National Craft Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Nutrition Month
National Umbrella Month
Save Your Vision Month

Did you miss those? They were all in March. Only a few hours left to get out your umbrellas and glasses and drink an insane amount of coffee to show your national pride!

But I digress …

I was so taken with Delia’s post that I just wanted to mention the importance of community efforts in poetry. Whether you go down to your local elementary school or local library to volunteer your creative writing skills, or host a writing workshop in your home—whatever you do, April is brimming with people itching to connect with others. In the U.S., spring is beginning. We are all ready to come together and discuss the things you can't find in the news (yes, that's a William Carlos Williams reference). And in my heart of hearts, I believe that poetry is one of the ties that bind us together. It records our history through emotion and words. Poetry is the oldest of traditions, and I can’t think of anything better to celebrate. (Well, Opening Day in baseball is pretty cool, too!)

Happy (Inter)National Poetry Month, everyone!