Day 18 ~ National Poem in Your Pocket Day for #NationalPoetryMonth and "30 poems in 30 days"

~ Poem in You Pocket Day ~

"Poem in Your Pocket Day 2019" is on April 18 and is part of National Poetry Month. On this day, select a poem, carry it with you, and share it with others at schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, street corners, and on social media using the hashtag #pocketpoem. 

"Poem in Your Pocket Day" was initiated in April 2002 by the Office of the Mayor in New York City, in partnership with the city’s Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education. In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took the initiative to all fifty United States, encouraging individuals around the country to participate. In 2016, the League of Canadian Poets extended Poem in Your Pocket Day to Canada.

Above clipped directly from: poets.org

You can find it here and even find a 62 page downloadable PDF of a free guide for celebrating "Poem in Your Pocket Day" in your school, community, or business. It has pages and pages of suggested poems to use.

OR, I like the idea of carrying around one of your own poems and sharing it with others today. 

So, there really isn't a poetry form to follow today! Just enjoy poetry in any way you wish and if writing more poetry is one of the ways you want to celebrate it, then please do so - any poetic form we have gone over or any you wish to look up or better yet, here's a day to write some free verse poetry. It's all up to you. Cheers!!

Photo credit: "congerdesign" at Pixabay

Day 26 ~ "Poem in Your Pocket" for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth

So, yesterday I mentioned that today is “Poem in Your Pocket Day.”  Fun stuff and we will be celebrating it by choosing a poem and carrying it with you today and sharing it with others any way you wish.

And I think it would be AWESOME if the poem you choose is one that YOU wrote! But, any poem is just fine.

One of the easiest ways is via social media using this hash-tag: #pocketpoem. So, I think you should pick one of your own original poems or find a poem you like . . . you can even make copies of it to hand out or just one copy that you carry around all day and hopefully share with others.

I’d like to share a poem about this day written by one of our regular participants in my April Poetry Month Challenge. It’s great little poem and I share it here with her permission:

Poem in Your Pocket Day

Take some time on this very special day

To find a favorite poem for a fun holiday

It may be one that makes you laugh or smile

Or even one that makes you think a while

It can be one you've written yourself

Or one you find upon a Library shelf

Just keep it with you throughout the day

Then share with those who come your way.

© 2017 Vicki Firth 

So, that’s pretty much it for today – Enjoy!!!!

Here’s a link from the “National Poetry Month” website all about “Poem in Your Pocket Day”

It even has a downloadable Poem in Your Pocket Day PDF where you can get ideas for celebrating or suggested poems to carry in your pocket today (I kind of hope you will carry one of your own original ones).

Day 27 ~ “Poem in Your Pocket Day” for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth

TODAY is “National Poem in Your Pocket Day”

Here is a little background on this day, taken from “Days of the Year” website:

History of Poem In Your Pocket Day

“In 2002 the New York City Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education coordinated with the Mayor to create their own special commemoration for National Poetry Month, and it was through this effort that Poem In Your Pocket Day was born. Just 6 years later the Academy of American Poets trumpeted this holiday through all 50 states, encouraging the entire nation to carry a poem with them that inspired their hearts and called them to greatness, and then to share that poem with others. 2016 saw the League of Canadian Poets pick up the torch and spread it to America’s Northern Neighbor.”

And here are some ideas from “timeanddate.com” ~

Howto Celebrate?

Write out your favorite poem and keep it in your pocket so that you can share it with others.

Participate in local poetry readings and events to commemorate the day.

What about writing your own bit of poetry and sharing it with others?

If you have children, why not write out a small poem and put it in their lunch box as a surprise treat?

So, for today – you are on your own. No poetic form to follow. Just enjoy the day, however you wish. Many of my poetic friends actually have picked a poem and shared it with others throughout the day – one they wrote or one they especially love. Some have written a new poem just for this day. Write away to your heart’s content – any style poetry you wish or use today to READ some poetry, rather than write some. Maybe encourage a friend or family member to try one of the poetry forms we have used during this month and see what they come up with. Whatever works for you today, is great! Enjoy!! Cheers!!

(Only three days of Poetry Month left). Kind of sad, but I hope you have developed a new love of writing poetry and will revisit these poetic forms again and again and create many more poems. Happy Poem in Your Pocket Day!!

Day 21 ~Poem in your pocket day #pocketpoem for #NationalPoetryMonth “30 Poems in 30 Days”

OK, so this is kind of a special day - this YEAR, 2016, celebrates TWENTY years of  "National Poetry month" ~ #NationalPoetryMonth ~ pretty cool, right? 
 

And since 2002 there has been a day designated as “Poem in Your Pocket Day” ~ weird thing is, it never seems to fall on the same day in April, no idea why. 

But this year, it is TODAY, April 21, 2016 ~ so let’s celebrate by choosing a poem and carrying it with you today and sharing it with others any way you wish. One of the easiest ways is via social media using this hash-tag: #pocketpoem. 

So, I think you should pick one of your own original poems, but either way – find a poem you like and carry it around.

As far as CREATING a new poem today ~ let’s just make it YOUR choice: use a past poetry form or here’s a chance to try your hand at some “free verse” poetry – just write what you feel, in whatever format seems right to you. Kind of nice, right?

So, that’s pretty much it for today – Enjoy!!!!

Here’s a link from the “National Poetry Month” website all about “Poem in Your Pocket Day”

It even has a downloadable Poem in Your Pocket Day PDF where you can get ideas for celebrating or suggested poems to carry in your pocket today (I kind of hope you will carry one of your own original ones).

Got these cute little Pocket Poem Logos from the following blog - you may enjoy checking it out, especially if you are a teacher:

The ELA Buffet

Cheers!!

Day 30 ~ 2015 “Credo Poem” for #NationalPoetryMonth “30 poems in 30 days” + TODAY is “Poem in My Pocket” Day!

Day 30 ~ “Credo Poem” and TODAY is “Poem in My Pocket” Day!

It’s hard to believe the month of April is finally over. April 30 is not only the last day of #NationalPoetryMonth – but it is “Poem in Your Pocket” Day. The idea is that on “Poem in Your Pocket Day,” people throughout the US will celebrate by selecting a poem, carrying it with them, and sharing it with others throughout the day as schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, and other venues, including FB and Twitter (#pocketpoem), ring loud with open readings of poems from pockets, it could be one of your own original ones or just a favorite poem of yours. 

Here is some info taken from the “National Poetry Month” website

"Poem in Your Pocket Day" was originally initiated in 2002 by the Office of the Mayor, in partnership with the New York City Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education, as part of the city’s National Poetry Month celebration. In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took the initiative national, encouraging individuals around the country to join in and channel their inner bard.

This year Poem in Your Pocket Day will be held on April 30. Be sure to share your poem selection on Twitter by using the hashtag #pocketpoem.

So, there is that and then ~ there is this: Today’s poem is a “Credo” poem. 

This is a pretty cool format and it was taken from a scene in the movie “Bull Durham” (which I’ve never seen so this is NOT a recommendation to see it – in fact, when I tried watched the clip of his “credo” I turned it off – not my style; too crass for me). However, it does make for a good poetry form, so here it is ~ fill in the blanks: 

CREDO POEM ~ in each of the blanks, tell something you believe in and on the last line of the 1^st stanza list 4 things (separated by each of the commas provided)

Then for the “BUT” line – tell something you don’t believe in, such as “But I don’t believe” … or “But I think … telling something that you don’t support, believe, etc. “But I think whatever is overrated or any way you want to add a line about what you DON’T believe in that starts with the word “But”

Finally, the last stanza is MORE of what you believe in with the second to last line listing 4 things you believe in as you did in the 1^st stanza and then – end with one long statement that kind of summaries what you believe or what you have hope in for the future type of thing.

OK, here is the basic format – whatcha’ got? 

I believe in the _________________________,
the___________________________________,
the___________________________________,
the___________________________________,
the___________________________________,
_______________,_______________,_________________.

But _______________________________________ . (something you don't believe in)

I believe in____________________________,
I believe in____________________________,
I believe in___________________________,
______________,________________,_________________.
And I believe in ___________________________________  _________________________________________________ . (longest line of poem)

Well, that’s pretty much it. Thanks for a great month of poetry!! See you next year. Don’t be a stranger. I hope to post more often but I’m a rather eclectic person – you never know what I might be posting about! Cheers!! 

BTW, as there are so many poetry forms out there, it’s been hard to choose which ones to share each day. So, I’m writing a book with dozens of poetry forms in it and I will post on here once it’s ready and how you can get a copy. Thanks again!

Please remember – any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments section of this blog. They are the property of the person who shares them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them in any form without their express permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to it. Thanks!! 

And if you choose to post your poems on your own blog – that’s awesome. But please don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem and LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to read the instructions. Thanks for respecting my work.

DAY TWENTY-FOUR!! Celebrating "Poem in Your Pocket Day" for #NationalPoetryMonth + #‎pocketpoem‬

Just a heads up - I won't be sharing any guidelines on what type of poem to write today - but I DO hope your write one ~ using any method you choose; perhaps about poetry, or not ... up to you. I also hope you can choose a favorite poem, print it off and share it with others today. Fun stuff!!

 (cute poem pocket pic found at  

Mrs. Gilchrist's Class blog - GREAT ideas if you are a teacher

Thanks, Mrs. Gilchrist!!)

So, WHAT is "Poem in Your Pocket Day?"

The idea is simple: select a poem that you love during National Poetry Month then carry it with you to share with co-workers, family, and friends. Poems from pockets will be unfolded throughout the day with events in parks, libraries, schools, workplaces, and bookstores across the nation.

Check out this article from the Examiner about "Poem in Your Pocket Day" 

~ there's a hashtag for your social media today: #‎pocketpoem‬

Here are some ideas on HOW to celebrate "Poem in Your Pocket Day" (PIYP) ~ taken from an article found at Poets.org

In this age of mechanical and digital reproduction, it's easy to carry a poem, share a poem, or start your own PIYP day event. Here are some ideas of how you might get involved:

Start a "poems for pockets" give-a-way in your school or workplace Urge local businesses to offer discounts for those carrying poems Post pocket-sized verses in public places Hand-write some lines on the back of your business cards Start a street team to pass out poems in your community Distribute bookmarks with your favorite immortal lines Add a poem to your email footer Post a poem on your blog or social networking page Project a poem on a wall, inside or out Text a poem to friends Help expand the list: send your ideas to npm@poets.org.  HERE Is the poem I will have in my pocket today - there are SO many to choose from but I've always liked this one on friendship: To A Friend You entered my life in a casual way, And saw at a glance what I needed; There were others who passed me or met me each day, But never a one of them heeded. Perhaps you were thinking of other folks more, Or chance simply seemed to decree it; I know there were many such chances before, But the others--well, they didn't see it. You said just the thing that I wished you would say, And you made me believe that you meant it; I held up my head in the old gallant way, And resolved you should never repent it. There are times when encouragement means such a lot, And a word is enough to convey it; There were others who could have, as easy as not— But, just the same, they didn't say it. There may have been someone who could have done more To help me along, though I doubt it; What I needed was cheering, and always before They had let me plod onward without it. You helped to refashion the dreams of my heart, And made me turn eagerly to it; There were others who might have (I question that part)— But, after all, they didn't do it! © Grace Stricker Dawson (found in the 1936 edition of "Best Loved Poems of the American People")