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Celebrate
National Poetry Month
At The Library
It's National Poetry Month!
We’ve gathered our list of recommendations from our collections, including books by poets and films about poets. We also invite you to come to our poetry open mics and poetry slams, join in poetry writing events at your local library, and play poetry bingo. There’s a chance to participate in being a #LibraryPoet on social media too! Join us in celebrating the beauty and power of poetry this month.
Upcoming Programs See Our Collections Participate on Social Media
Read and Share a Poem on the Poet-Tree
Read & share a poem on the poet tree. The poet tree allows library customers to celebrate poetry by writing and sharing it. Library customers are encouraged to write original poems or copy them from the library's poetry collection and hang them on the poet tree using a colored index card, which is provided. Customers can add to the poet tree or read the poems that others have shared.
April 2 – April 30
St. Albans
191-05 Linden Boulevard
Fresh Ink Writing Club: Poetry
Children in grades 4-6 explore writing and story telling through fun activities. This month's focus: Poetry!
Wednesday, April 18
4:30pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street
The Poet in You
Share and discuss your poetry. A teleconference event. First-time participants, please call 718-464-0084 for access numbers.
Wednesday, April 18
11am
Queens Village
94-11 217 Street
Students Poetry Contest For Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr.
In order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. Laurelton Library will conduct this program. Students from grade five and under will write a poem on Dr. King and hand it in by the end of April. We will select the best poems as winners of the contest.
Thursdays, April 19, 26
12pm
Laurelton
134-26 225 Street
Celebrate Poetry Month: Rhythm & Rhythm Time
Celebrate Poetry Month and participate with poetry projects at your library! Ages 6 and up.
Fridays, April 20, 27
3pm
Seaside
116-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Park
Write Now! NY Writer’s Coalition
Join NY Writer's Coalition for a free, drop-in writing workshop open to writers of all genres--poetry, fiction, memoir, and anything else. Writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome. No advanced registration is required.
Saturday, April 21
2pm
Broadway
40-20 Broadway, Long Island City
Poetry Slam
Come to a poetry slam where you can learn about different ways to write poetry. Adults and young adults will also have a chance to hear others read a poem of their own choosing.
Saturday, April 21
3pm
East Flushing
196-36 Northern Boulevard
Read Aloud: A Tribute to Mothers with Special Producer Changlin Li (in Chinese)
April is National Poetry Month. People of all ages with different backgrounds are invited to read aloud onstage. They will recite poems and essays on the theme of Mother’s Day to express love and appreciation for their mothers. Mr. Changlin Li, a well-known reading artist, is the producer of this special event.
母親是愛的化身，母愛是世間最偉大的力量，世界上有一種最美麗的聲音，那便是母親的呼喚。古往今來眾多經典的文學作品都以歌頌母愛為主題，在紐約法拉盛這個多元文化彙聚之地，用詩歌朗誦的形式來表達對母親的感恩是最好的方式之一。 本節目以“母親”為主題，是一台各年齡、行業人士參與的高雅而又不失樂趣，以詩歌朗誦為主要內容的演出。特邀請著名電視主持人、製作人，朗誦藝術家李昌林擔任策劃和製作。 時間：4月22日星期天，下午2點 地點：法拉盛圖書館劇場
Sunday, April 22
2pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street
Poetry Night
Children ages 5 to 12 are welcome to make, share, or simply read poetry.
Monday, April 23
3:30pm
Queens Village
94-11 217 Street
Blackout Poetry for Teens
Teens and tweens are invited to learn techniques of Blackout Poetry, a unique relatively new form of poetic expression. At the same time participants will learn methods of preserving and reusing discarded library materials! This is a unique chance to see both sides of the Blackout conversation.
Tuesday, April 24
3pm
Flushing
41-17 Main Street
Poem in Your Pocket Day
Pick a poem, roll a scroll, and put it in your pocket! Celebrate National Poetry Month and Poem in Your Pocket Day by picking a poem at the library to read, keep, or give to a friend! Poetry is infinite and supplies are unlimited.
Thursday, April 26
12pm
Seaside
116-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Rockaway Park
Poem in Your Pocket Day with Ms. Seales
To celebrate National Poetry Month, the children will write a poem and place it in an attractive little pocket which they create.
Thursday, April 26
4pm
Hollis
202-05 Hillside Avenue
Open Mic & Reading Series
Community performers are welcome to share their talents in a 4-minute presentation of either poetry, written word, music, comedy or spoken word. Spectators are also welcome. April Feature: Marigo Farr.
Thursday, April 26
6:30pm
Forest Hills
108-19 71 Avenue
Poem in Your Pocket Day
At the Rochdale Village Library
We think poems are as sweet as Cherry
Come to write poems with us
You can come in on the 3, 85, or 111 bus
Or take a poem
and give it an amazing home
In your pocket
Your mind will take off like a rocket
Friday, April 27
12pm
Rochdale Village
169-09 137 Avenue, Jamaica
Meet the Author: “Pieces of My Soul: A Collection of Poems” by Helena Consuela Sayles
Through innovation in both word choice and form, author Helena Sayles's poetry touches on topics such as family, friendship, self-reflection, love, struggle, strength, and what lies ahead for younger generations. Ms. Sayles, a retired elementary school teacher, will discuss her creative process and the steps involved in completing the book and having it published. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Saturday, April 28
2:30pm
Laurelton
134-26 225 Street
Poetry Sandwiches
Children ages 5 to 12 are going to make a poetry sandwich craft.
Monday, April 30
3:30pm
Queens Village
94-11 217 Street
Poetry Books
From poems for children by Emily Dickinson to Morgan Parker’s sensation There are More Beautiful Things Than Beyonce to Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf, we’ve curated a wide variety of poetry from our collections for you to dive into this month.
Films About Poets On Kanopy
Visit Langston Hughes’s Harlem neighborhood or enjoy a biopic of the Beat generation’s Lawrence Ferlinghetti, available to stream at any time.
Get started to view films on every subject imaginable!
Poetry Magazines on RBdigital
Whether you want to learn how to publish your own poetry or read some of the best poetry being published today, RBdigital Magazines makes magazines available to you online.
Poem In Your Pocket
We’ll celebrate and document Poem In A Pocket Day by inviting you to show us the poem you’ve carried in your pocket to share with co-workers, friends, and family. Participate all month and include the hashtag #LibraryPoet. Your post may get featured on our social media!
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