April is National Poetry Month. Did you know?
Since its launch by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world.
And for good reason: Poetry shapes common words into life and beauty and truth.
OUR POETRY-RELATED CONTESTS
Some of the upcoming White County Creative Writers Contests are specifically poetry related. Others include poetry as an acceptable submission. Here are the ones you might be interested in.
5. Song Time Award.
Children’s song lyrics. 250 word max.
6. I Got This!
26-line Alphabet form poem. The subject is turning calamity into triumph. Humor is encouraged.
12. Cliff-Rick.
Cliffs Notes meets limerick. Encapsulate a piece of classic literature into a limerick.
15. Sunrise, Sunset.
A Rondel about either sunrise, sunset, or both.
17. Gin Creek Award.
Nonet Reverse — 18 lines (9-1, 1-9) Hourglass figure. Subject: Two different points of view on the same subject. No politics.
18. Donna Nelson Compose for Shakespeare Award.
Create a Shakespearean sonnet. For your theme: Introduce your audience to a person who influenced your life as a child.
30. It Must Have Been Love.
A story, memoir, or poem about true love. Tell us how love changed someone’s life.
As a reminder, the Contest Deadline is May 1.
While you’re at it, take a look at these poetry-related posts at the WCCW blog.
• The Making of a Good Poem (John McPherson)
• Only Poets Can Save America (John McPherson)
• Poetry Serious or Not (Donna Nelson)
• Identifying Meter – Part One (Donna Nelson)
• Identifying Meter – Part Two (Donna Nelson)
• A Miniature Poetry Pamphlet (Donna Nelson)
If you haven’t written (or read) a poem in a while, this is the perfect month to reconnect with the craft. Pull out your notebook. Revisit a favorite poet. Give a haiku your best effort. Or even enter a contest.
And let’s remember the words of Robert Frost: “Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought, and the thought has found words.”
P.S. We also invite you to take a look at the WCCW friends’ site: Poets Roundtable of Arkansas.