Common Threads

This is a very cool thing.

Mass Poetry has created a statewide poetry project for April called
Common Threads: 7 Poems and a Wealth of Readers. By April 1, our goal is to have 500 groups across Massachusetts engaged in the common experience of exploring and discussing the same seven poems throughout the month. The poems are:


“The Lost Pilot” by James Tate
“Occupation” by Suji Kwock Kim
“Vita Nova” by Louise Glück
“New England Ode” by Kevin Young
“Samurai Song” by Robert Pinsky
“Love Song: I and Thou” by Alan Dugan
"In the Waiting Room” by Elizabeth Bishop

Today, there are 200 groups registered to receive our free, downloadable kit that will include the text and audio recording of each of the poems, a discussion guide, tips for reading poetry, biographies and interviews, and links to articles and essays.

We want you to organize your school, local library, senior group, or book club to join in an engaging and enjoyable poetry exploration. One popular idea is hosting an April Poetry Potlock with the poems as the main course!

The kit will be ready mid-March. If you'd like to receive the kit, sign up and spread the word!

And visit the Mass Poetry website for updates on the Massachusetts Poetry Festival.