National Poetry Month (April)

Updated 4/2012

April was chosen as National Poetry Month, in part, because of T. S. Eliot’s famous phrase “April is the cruelest month,” from The Waste Land. The complete work and explanation can be found in Lit Finder’s poetry module.

Lit Finder
Full-text poems, stories and essays on literature. (Guided Tour)
Use LitFinder to find short stories, essays, over 125,000 full-text poems, explanations of more than 2,000 poems, and more.

Find Thematic Poetry on Lit Finder:
Visit Lit Finder to discover poems featuring Spring, Easter, Passover and Mother’s Day. Some of the favorites are:

• Spring: “‘Tis Spring” by Helen Wilson Fernandez
• Easter: “Easter” by Margaret M. Cheaney
• Passover: “Listening” by Katherine Lee Bates
• Mother’s Day: “A Thought for Mother’s Day” by Mamie Collins Barry

Poetry websites
The Academy of American Poets
Poems, biographies of poets, historical and thematic poetry exhibits, events calendars, discussion forums, contest information, and much more.

Illinois Poet Laureate's website
The special focus is the rich bounty of work created by Illinois' poets, past and present. Several pages highlight Illinois' poetic legacy and showcase the bevy of fine poets currently writing within the state.

The Poetry Foundation
Publisher of Poetry magazine, the foundation is an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. And they have some great videos!

Poetry Magazine
Poetry Magazine is the oldest, most widely read monthly devoted entirely to verse. Featured poet changes weekly.

Poetry Portal This is a directory of worldwide poetry online.