Happy National Poetry Month!

It's the most wonderful time of the year—a month chocked-full of poetry. Are you participating in the numerous poem-a-day challenges moving through the blogosphere? Are you attending readings, or maybe you're giving readings? Whatever it is, thank you! Poetry needs its supporters to survive and thrive now more than ever.

Looking for a way to participate? Try one (or all) of these poetry activities this month:

1. Write a poem a day in April. I'm participating in NaPoWriMo and the Poetic Asides Poem-a-Day Challenge, but there are others. Try the challenge that works best for you.
   
2. Attend a reading or poetry gathering. The poets are out and about this month—take advantage of the many readings going on in your area.
   
3. Read poetry aloud. If you're in a book group, this is the perfect month to read a poetry anthology or a collection as this month's selection.
   
4. Read at an open mic. Maybe this is your time to find your voice.
   
5. Donate your time and/or money to a poetry or arts organization.
   
6. Buy a subscription to a literary magazine.
   
7. Send a poetry postcard to a friend.
   
8. Post a poem outside of your office, cube, workspace, or front door.
   
9. Stop lurking on poetry blogs and jump into the conversation!
   
10. And, for the non-poets, take a poet to lunch!
    

So, how are you celebrating the so-called "cruelest month?"