April is National Poetry Month and there’s an inspiring event afoot: National Poem in Your Pocket Day. This year, it’s today, April 10.

People across the country will express their love of poetry by selecting a favorite poem, carrying it with them, and “sharing it with others throughout the day as schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, and other venues ring loud with open readings of poems from pockets.”

National Poem in Your Pocket Day: What a fantastic idea! I’m going to muse a while on which poem I’d like to carry in my pocket, so I can add my voice to this joyful noise.

Need inspiration? Here’s a great source: The Knopf website offers a “Poem a Day” for every day of April in celebration of National Poetry Month. Sign up and you’ll receive a poem for the rest of April. YOu can also sign up for a “Poetry Breakfast” daily poem.

As a poetry lover, I can’t think of anything more wonderful to carry in my pocket than a poem. I carry a few in my heart that I memorized when I was a kid and often recite them to myself. How about you? Do you have a favorite poem to tuck in your pocket?

Here’s a lovely one to brighten our day:

Morning Joy

by Tom Montag

The sudden birds
of morning,
then the light

and the distant
line of horizon,
knife-edge

of the world.
The air is keen
with rustling.

I hold this,
I hold all this,
saying Yes.

For more on the Academy of American Poets and National Poetry Month, visit: poets.org. And write on!

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