April is National Poetry Month, which makes it a great time to enjoy the beauty and power of words! Whether you love poetry or are just starting to explore it, reading a poem each day is a wonderful way to celebrate the art of the poem.
Why Read a Poem a Day?
Poetry helps us express feelings, tell stories, and learn new words. Reading one poem a day can:
- Improve Reading Skills – Poems use creative language that helps build vocabulary and understanding.
- Inspire Creativity – Poetry makes us think in new ways and see the world differently.
- Help You Relax – The rhythm and emotions in poetry can be calming and enjoyable.
- Grow Empathy – Poems share different experiences and feelings, helping us understand others better.
Easy Ways to Add Poetry to Your Day
- Start Your Morning with a Poem – Read a short poem to begin your day with inspiration.
- Read Poetry with Friends and Family – Share a poem out loud and talk about it together.
- Use Online Poetry Resources – Websites like Poets.org and Poetry Foundation offer daily poems.
- Write About What You Read – Keep a journal to jot down thoughts or even try writing your own poems!
Poets and other resources to Check Out
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some poets you might enjoy:
- Classic Poets: Emily Dickinson, Dorothy Parker, Langston Hughes, Elizabeth Bishop
- Modern Poets: Amanda Gorman, Mary Oliver, Ellen Bass, Jericho Brown, Ada Limón
- Poets from Around the World: Pablo Neruda, Rupi Kaur, Wisława Szymborska, Rainer Maria Rilke
- Instant Noodles Lit Mag! You can read through the Instant Noodles archive, one poem at a time! https://instantnoodleslitmag.com/
- Check out OWP Theatre’s Pageant of Poetry every April https://www.facebook.com/OWPTheatre
- Subscribe to get a poem a day to your inbox https://poets.org/poem-a-day
- Browse the Poetry Foundation’s archive or read their poem of the day https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/poem-of-the-day
Join the Fun!
National Poetry Month is the perfect time to enjoy poetry. Challenge yourself to read a poem each day, share your favorites, or even try writing your own! Celebrate the power of poetry—one poem at a time.
What’s your favorite poem? Share it in the comments below!
OLD SCRATCH PRESS 
My favorite poem is “Us Two” by A.A. Milne in his book Now We Are Six. Milne is the creator of Winnie the Poo.
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I’ve never read that poem, but I’m going to look it up!
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