Poetry has a unique ability to evoke emotions and touch the soul, and it’s no wonder why we choose to celebrate this art form. The Academy of American Poets declared April to be National Poetry Month in 1996, and over the years it has become one of the largest literary celebrations in the world. At its core, poetry is a means of conveying the human experience in a way that transcends the boundaries of ordinary language. While poets often set out with this same goal of conveying human emotions, there are endless ways for us to enjoy the poems they create.
Poetry has been around since the creation of language, and it is fascinating to see how poetry has changed over the centuries. Reading poetry from different eras not only opens you up to different poetic styles, but also sheds light on historic happenings of the time. If one thing is true, it is that art reflects life, and reading a poem from centuries ago provides a peek into how the poet lived and the struggles they endured. Even more interesting are the commonalities we find between ourselves and these classic poets. Emotions like heartbreak, loss, and love are just as powerful now as they were in the 17th century. Our very own collection of American Poetry, pictured below, features American poetry from the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Never before has it been so easy to read poetry through the ages!
What’s one thing we never leave home without? Our phones! While we might not have a pocket poetry book handy at all times, although we absolutely recommend it, there’s always ways to enjoy poetry on our cellphones. You can follow Instagram accounts dedicated to reading poetry out loud and even listen to them during the day like a podcast. Helen Bonham Carter who played Bellatrix Lestrange in Harry Potter is featured reading many lovely poems across social media. Her reading of Small Kindnesses by Danusha Laméris is beautifully uplifting. There are also Instagram accounts like @outlawpoets that post daily poetry quotes for you to enjoy while scrolling. Leobart, the founder of Outlaw Poets, is taking his love for poetry one step further and publishing a book of collected poetry submitted by his followers. “I wanted to promote the modern poets that live amongst the masses,” he said, “the ones whose poetry never leaves their own notebooks”. It’s such a beautiful symbol of how poetry has the power to unite humanity under common emotions and tribulations.
Open mic nights are endlessly entertaining and a great opportunity to spend an evening listening to spoken word. It can be a rollercoaster of emotions, as one moment you might be laughing along with a comedic poet and the next you will be crying with a poet who bares their soul. When you hear a poem that resonates with you, it can feel like the poet is speaking directly to your heart, giving voice to feelings you may have struggled to express. If you are a poet yourself, an open mic night is a great way to challenge yourself to share your poetry with others. If standing up in front of a crowded room seems too extreme, you could even try reading your poems to your family or friends. While poetry is a deeply personal art form, it is ultimately meant to be shared with others in hopes that we will all find solace in the written words.
In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, reading poetry offers a chance to slow down and connect with the deeper aspects of the human experience. Whether you're a seasoned poetry lover or just starting to explore the genre, the rewards of reading poetry are truly endless. Here at Juniper Custom we plan to spend the entire month of April celebrating all things poetry! You can celebrate along with us on Instagram or even hop over to Juniper Books and check out our lovely Poetry Collection.
