National Poetry Month

DPL Poetry Resources

Start Your Poetry Search Here!
Find books of poetry, selected poems, information on poets and suggested web sites on Denver Public Library's Poetry page.

For teens, check out the eVolver National Poetry Month page.

For kids, check out the Kids National Poetry Month page, with Poem-a-Day Podcasts by kids!

Poems Read by Staff

Leaves of Grass (Excerpt)
by Walt Whitman
Listen Now! Read by Jon.

This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul; and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body...

Poem a Day Archive

Selected Poetry Events in April

Word War I
April 3-4, 8 p.m.
Crossroads Theater
Word War I is sure to be one of the most exciting poetry month events in Denver. A two-day event, the Word War starts on Friday, April 3 with poetry performances, live music, poetry workshops and then a poetry slam competition.

Poetry Slam
April 5, 12, 19 and 26, 8 p.m.
Mercury Cafe

Split Personalities: An Evening of Poetry, Music and Revelry
April 24, 7 p.m.
910 Arts
As National Poetry Month 2009 starts to wind down, come re-ignite your poetic enthusiasm on Friday, April 24. The "Split Personalities" poetry month celebrations feature local accomplished poets such as Jake Adam York, Kimberly McClintock and Chris Ransick. Chris Ransick has been declared the Poet Laureate of Denver, and is scheduled to be involved in many of Denver's poetry month events. More information.

Mile Haiku City Poetry Reading Dedicated to "Mustang"
April 27, 6:30 p.m.
Central Library, Level B2 Conference Center
"Mustang," Luis Jimenez's controversial, giant blue horse outside of Denver International Airport, has already inspired much comment in Denver and even nationally. Come hear all about it at the ultimate slam poetry event. Put your poetic and emotional response to "Mustang" down on paper and share it with others — everyone's welcome to read their "Mustang" inspired poems. All forms of poetic expression are welcome — verse, prose, haiku, limerick, sonnet, ballad, ode, epigram and elegy. Sponsored by Westword and hosted by Fresh City Life.

Other Poetry Events
Check out the denvergov.org list of all local poetry events.

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Updated: July 27, 2009