Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Thursday Is "Poem in Your Pocket Day"

Poet Anna Leahy (who posted here and here) has reported to me that tomorrow, April 17, is “Poem in Your Pocket Day.”

From the web site:

“Celebrate the first national Poem In Your Pocket Day! The idea is simple: select a poem you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you to share with co-workers, family, and friends on April 17. Poems from pockets will be unfolded throughout the day with events in parks, libraries, schools, workplaces, and bookstores.”

The site offers poems to download that are short enough for your pocket (or purse). And in the D.C. area, you can go to this special event to read the poem in YOUR pocket:

The "Poetry at Noon" series at the Library of Congress hosts Poem in Your Pocket Day, the chance for those attending to read a selection of verse if they can show a published poem (not your own) at the door of the Pickford Theater, James Madison Bldg., 101 Independence Ave. SE. This event is part of the Academy of American Poets' National Poetry Month celebration. Call 202-707-5394 for details. Thursday, April 17, 2008, noon.

Here’s the poem I’m going to carry around:

“Coming Home at Twilight in Late Summer” by Jane Kenyon

We turned into the drive,
and gravel flew up from the tires
like sparks from a fire. So much
to be done—the unpacking, the mail
and papers…the grass needed mowing….
We climbed stiffly out of the car.
The shut-off engine ticked as it cooled.

And then we noticed the pear tree,
the limbs so heavy with fruit
they nearly touched the ground.
We went out to the meadow; our steps
made black holes in the grass;
and we each took a pear,
and ate, and were grateful.

(Note: I read this to Steve at our wedding…awwww.)

Work-in-Progress

DC-area author Leslie Pietrzyk explores the creative process and all things literary.