National Poetry Month – Closing Thoughts

And today we reach the end of National Poetry Month here in the U.S. I’ve enjoyed posting (almost) daily in an attempt to spread the word about the wonders of poetry and some of the poets who have influenced and inspired me. 

To me, poetry can be a powerful force in the world. What many people seem to forget is that poetry isn’t just some Bohemian reciting their angsty verse at an open-mic night in a seedy coffee house. Poetry can also be song lyrics, part of a poetry slam, or even scribbled on a subway station wall. 

While essays and speeches can carry a lot of weight, poetry is more subtle and quick. It can reach and impact an audience with just a few well-written lines. It’s not just about love and flowery meadows. Poetry is about rebellion and making noise.

Before I wrap this up, I want to shine a spotlight on a few blogging poets I’ve discovered and follow. They may not be as well known as some of the others I’ve posted about this month, but their verse it personal, powerful, and inspirational. I hope you’ll take the time to visit their blogs, read their works, and follow them.

I’ve mentioned Pat over at the e-quips blog in a previous post. She not only writes wonderful verse, but also shares the poems of other bloggers. Her site is a great read and has given me the opportunity to discover new poets. 

I also frequent words and music and stories, which is home to Luisa. She not only posts wonderfully written poetry, but also shares posts from other poets and writers. Her site is in both Italian and English. 

You can find inspirational and thought-provoking poems on Kaushal Kishore’s blog. He posts both short and long-form poems, and each one provides the reader with something to think about for the rest of the day.

I also follow The Poet’s Public Record, where Ana posts – and reads – her poems. Topics include everything from social justice to personal thoughts and feelings. 

These are only a few of the many writing-focused blogs I follow and I’ll share more in future posts. 

I hope that you’ve enjoyed National Poetry Month and that you’ve discovered something new to enjoy. If you know of another poet or poem I should read, please share it in the comments. 

RB