National Poetry Month

Did you know April was National Poetry Month? National Poetry Month was founded in 1996 by the Academy of American poets and has been celebrated annually. It has been celebrated in Canada since 1999. Let's celebrate this month.

• Poetry comes from the Greek word, poiesis.
• The oldest surviving poem is the Epic of Gilgamesh.
• American poet Emily Dickinson only published seven poems while alive.
• William Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets and two narrative poems.
• John Keats was not popular while he lived. Now he is considered one of the best poets of the English Romantic movement.
• The Academy of American Poetry has a list of 30 ways to celebrate National Poetry Month. Please visit their website, www.poets.org for more information.
• Nostradamus wrote his prophecies in quatrains.
• Writer's Digest is having a poetry contest and has a special blog for National Poetry Month. Please go to here to learn more.

I hope you have enjoyed learning more about National Poetry month. I would enjoy hearing some of your poetry.