The Soundings

Happy National Poetry Month! The very first National Poetry Month was created and held by the Academy of American Poets exactly thirty years ago in 1996. The month-long event was organized with the intention of recognizing the lifelong contributions of poets, the importance of poetry throughout American history, and the particular power that poetry has to bring one another together. It has since become the most widely celebrated literary event in the world! Throughout the month of April, millions of families, librarians, readers, students, teachers, and poets come together to celebrate in a multitude of ways, such as participating in the Dear Poet Project or Poem in Your Pocket Day, signing up for Poem-a-Day, or by attending a poetry program at one's local library! You can view our Events Calendar for a full schedule of library events. In the Keyword Search, type “Poetry” to view all of the upcoming poetry related programs!  

Poem in Your Pocket Day began in April of 2002 to encourage individuals to share their favorite poem with those around them. On April 30th, you can select your favorite poem, print it out and carry the poem in your pocket for the day. The Academy of American Poets even provides instructions on how to fold your poem into an origami swan, if you so desire! Throughout your day, you can share your poem with friends, family, pets, or you can just stand outside and read your poem to the wind. 

Don’t have a favorite poem in mind? Don’t you worry! You can visit your library to check out these collections of poetry by local poets: 

• Hands: Photographs, Poems and Prose: Hands at Work and Play in the Lowcountry of South Carolina by Sandy Dimke, 2010.  

• Inspired Words: Poems and Essays About Life in Beaufort, South Carolina by Alice Connelly Moore, 2010.  

• Life on Daufuskie is More Than a Touch of Hallelujah!: Poems and Thoughts by Lory Anderson, 1995. 

• Mulberry Wine: A Selection of Poems About Growing Up in the South by Amy Jenkins Bassett, 2010. 

• One for Sorrow, Two for Joy by Edith Bannister Dowling, 1967. 

• A Patchwork of Poems About South Carolina by Edith Bannister Dowling, 1970. 

• Stories & Poems of a Gullah Native by Elijah Heyward, 2012. 

• What the Wind Forgets: A Woman’s Heart Remembers by Helen Von Kolnitz Hyer, 1975.  

  
  

If you would like to read more poetry from local poets or poems that have been published throughout Beaufort’s long and storied history, the Beaufort District Collection contains a diverse holding of poetry and prose. Visit the BDC’s page to learn more!