I've loved poetry since I met my first nursery rhyme and learned that poetry could make me laugh. Becoming a voracious reader as I grew, my course was set, for I bumped into poems again and again. They taught me poetry could do many things. It could tell a story. Sing a song. Ask an important question. Surprise me. Take my breath away in wonder. Paint a picture. Teach me something new. How could I help but love it?
So many people are drawn to poetry that they are eager for others to enjoy it too. April is National Poetry Month. April 14 has been designated Put A Poem In Your Pocket Day. Led by San Luis Obispo Poet Laureate Bonnie Young, a committee of poets came together and invited other poets to join them in typing copies of their favorite poems. The intent was to contribute to several local libraries in SLO county so visitors to the libraries can each take away a poem to have and enjoy. Ken Solomon, Nixson Borah, Susan Lara, Kathy Hansen, and yours truly are members of that committee. If you're interested in having a poem, you will find them at the Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, Los Osos, Morro Bay, and Paso Robles Libraries. They will be available throughout the month of April.
One delight of my joy in poetry was to start a poetry reading series in Atascadero in 2001. It's called Third Thursday (Poets' Night Out). This month we feature Marguerite Costigan and Eve Cone reading their own original poetry. An open mic follows. The event will take place at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 5318 Palma on April 21st at 7 p.m. You are cordially invited to join us in celebrating National Poetry Month with these fine poets.
Another personal project of my own has been to set the intention of writing a poem picturing Atascadero's landscape and weather during each month of the year just for the fun of it. Some years back we arrived home from a trip to New Orleans to find another constellation of circumstances that made its way into verse.
