April is National Poetry Month, and for that reason, I usually plan my syllabus so that we're discussing poetry during April. A few students love poetry, while some really dislike it. For the most part, however, students are fairly ambivalent towards reading poems for class. They don't love it, but they know it won't kill them. Honestly, I think this is the attitude for most people, students and adults alike.
Some poetry is pure fun. Take the limerick, for example. It's short and cute, and it doesn't require too much deep thought:
There was an old man with a beard
Who said, "it’s just how I feared!
Two owls and a hen
Four larks and a wren
Have all built their nests in my beard.
- Anonymous
There once was a lady named Sue
Who had nothing whatever to do
And who did it so badly
I thought she would gladly
Have stopped before she was through.
- Anonymous
There was a young fellow who thought
Very little, but thought it a lot.
Then at long last he knew
What he wanted to do,
But before he could start, he forgot.
- Anonymous
Some of you may be thinking to yourselves, "How can I participate in this illustrious event?" Below are some links for anyone wanting to explore more of their own poetic natures:
Poetry Through the Ages
Poem-A-Day e-mail sign up
A Brief Guide to Poetry Slams
30 Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month
National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo)
The Academy of American Poets (for more information about poets and poetry than you could read this month.)
Have fun!
