So, now that it is National Poetry Month, what do we do about it?

We are celebrating National Poetry Month, created by the Academy of American Poets in 1996.

Although we should celebrate poetry all year, this month provides us an opportunity to focus on it. April, a month by nature no more poetic than any other, does provide a transition from one season to another, as poetry may provide a transition from one sense to another, from one awareness to another, from one mood to another. Or , since many times a cigar is just a cigar or a rose, a rose (and a rose) poetry is just poetry C which is good enough for us to celebrate.

As with any celebration, we look for a means to do just that, so here are some suggestions for what we might do C some are probably things we already do, others might be new and worth a try.

Find a poetry reading to attend. Take along some of your own work in case there is an open mic. Don t even think about whether or not you are obligated to read C you ll know when it s time.

Write something poetic C don t worry if it doesn t seem finished or polished or good or anything that fits standard expectations. Just be pleased that it IS.

Go to a bookstore, buy some coffee, get a stack of poetry books, and read one or two from every one.

Send some lines from a favorite poem to us at The City Eagle ([email protected]) and tell us why you like them.

Invite some friends over for coffee and poetry. Don t worry about finding people who are poets, just find people who are friends. The poet part takes care of itself.

Look in a loved one s eyes and read the poetry that is there.

Pull out that old notebook with those poems you wrote that aren t very good. Change your opinion of them (Then send one or more to us at [email protected]).

Have a poetry tailgate party. (Send us a picture at [email protected].)

Make T-shirts with your favorite poetry on them (Wear them to the poetry tailgate party, then send us a picture at [email protected]).

Memorize a poem C recite it whenever it seems to fit C and when it doesn t as well.

Think of all the reasons you might not like poetry and consider why you might be wrong.

Combine a photo of a friend (or other loved one) with a poem about them (or a poem that could be about them).

Decorate your house with poetry.

Rent Il Postino a movie featuring a great poet.

Decorate your house like a poem (Send us a picture at [email protected]).

Check out this Web site for many more ideas: www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/41

Read your favorite song lyrics and discover its poetic nature.

Celebrate poetry in whatever way works for you.

And let s not forget a poem in your pocket

April is National Poetry Month and April 30 is Poem in Your Pocket Day, a day to carry a favorite poem to share with anyone you might want. Like last year, we want you to share your favorite short poems or favorite lines of poetry with us.

Send your favorite words of poetry (written by someone else) to us at [email protected] and tell us, in a few words, why they are so important to you.