Jessica Spoto

April is National Poetry Month. In 1996, the Academy of American Poets started National Poetry month to honor poetry and poets themselves. Throughout April there are numerous venues for poets to read and the public to enjoy. Highlighting the power of poetry was he aim of the Academy of American Poets when they organized National Poetry Month. The academy also aimed to strived expand the coverage of poetry in the media, as well as in the classrooms.

National Poetry Month was all about increasing the support and use of poetry all around the nation. The Academy was influenced by Women’s History Month and Black History Month as these moths helped to expose the general public to women’s and African American causes. As the month of April became National Poetry, the Academy of American Poets saw the power of poetry come to the forefront in 1996.

Here at SMCC, faculty, staff and students read their favorite poems in the All Faiths Chapel between 12:15-1:30. The SMCC community is welcome to read one of their favorite poems, or just listen. Last Thursday Poetry Month at SMCC started as Kevin Sweeney hosted the first set of readings. Participants included: SMCC President Ronald Cantor, students: Ian Myers, Nita Rose, Chris Rial, Megan Webster and Annette Britting. Faculty included: Rich Pitre, Mike Bove, David Stankiewcz, and Robert Vettesse.

The readers did honor and celebrate National Poetry Month as many of the poems took on a humorous slant. Later in the month SMCC will be scheduling an open mic night where students, faculty, staff will be able to read their own original poetry. Overall SMCC has been celebrating National Poetry Month since.

If you cannot make it to one of the readings and want to share your poems with the SMCC community, submit your poetry to The Beacon. You’ll find your word crafting in the Arts and Features section under poetic license! We hope you enjoy the poems featured here and have fun and enjoyable National Poetry Month.