National Poetry Month is a celebration of the literary arts that was founded by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996. Every year, teachers, students, readers, librarians, booksellers, and writers come together throughout the month of April, whether in person, online, or in spirit, to acknowledge the importance of poetry and the impact it has in our lives.
While the association of poetry for many stems from the less-than-desirable memories of being forced to read it during our high school English classes, it’s important to recognize the value of poetry so that we may be more willing to engage with it. I do not deny that reading poems is a challenge. The entire process of writing poetry begins with attempts to play with and reinvent our understanding of language. Reading it requires effort, but that is what makes the payoff so worthwhile.
Rather than simply skimming the page, moving on, and forgetting, poetry requires full commitment from its reader; when granted that commitment, it becomes a fully engrossing experience. Engaging with poetry at this level can feel like a practice in psychology, delving into the mind and intentions of the writer. Once we engage with the poem beyond a superficial reading, we begin to appreciate the work the poet put into selecting these specific words, images, and references. We can build connections between this poem and another, and, after building a habit of reading, we ultimately end with a more well-rounded and expanded worldview.
Good poetry is not meant to alienate its reader; it’s meant to present ideas that appeal to universal facets of humanity. In this way, being a reader of poetry immediately places you into a community that has been built by the writer. What better experience is there than seeing your deepest thoughts and feelings presented on the page, feeling seen by a writer, and realizing you have a community of readers that relate to you as well?
For the last two decades, the Laredo Public Library has been working diligently to provide a celebration of poetry to our community. Each year, the library accepts submissions from local poets of all ages and awards their top contributors with publication and a chance to share their poetry with the public. This year, the 23rd Annual Laredo Poetry Festival will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 1-3 p.m. at the Joe A. Guerra library branch. All are welcome to attend in support of the poetic art and the talent of our local writers.
