April is National Poetry Month, a time when people across the country celebrate the power of words and the beauty of language. It’s an essential month where many are given the platform to express themselves through poetry.

Here are some ways you can get involved and celebrate poetry month:

Write poetry daily: Writing poetry can be a soothing way to express yourself and explore your feelings.

Attend a poetry event: Check out local events or attend virtual events to listen to other poets and gain inspiration. Poetry readings, open mic nights, and poetry slams are great places to start.

Read famous poets: Reading poetry can be a great way to expand your horizons and discover new writers. Some famous poets you might consider exploring include Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes.

There are many types of poetry, each with its unique style and structure. Here are a few common types of poetry to consider:

Sonnets: A 14-line poem that typically follows iambic pentameter and a specific rhyme scheme.

Haikus: A three-line poem that follows a 5-7-5 syllable structure.

Free verse: A poem that does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter.

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Tupac Shakur was a rap artist, actor, and poet who used his platform to bring awareness to social injustices. Tupac was ahead of his time as he brought attention to and started conversations around a lot of the corruption that the world is still facing today. Many believe that his legacy as a poet and artist continues to inspire people to fight for justice.

Some notable poems of Tupac’s include “The Rose That Grew From Concrete,” which talks about the struggle of growing up in poverty, and “Changes,” which discusses the struggles of the African American community and calls for change.

One of his poems that resonates with many today is “Sometimes I Cry,” which expresses the pain and sadness of feeling alone and unheard.

Sometimes I Cry

By Tupac Shakur

Sometimes when I’m alone

I cry because I’m on my own

The tears I cry R bitter and warm

They flow with life but take no form

I cry my heart is torn

and I find it difficult 2 carry on

If I had an ear 2 confide in

I would cry among my treasured friends

But who do u know that stops that long

To help another carry on

The world moves fast and it would rather pass u by

than 2 stop and c what makes u cry

It’s painful and sad and sometimes I cry

and no one cares about why. 

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Faith Richardson, another amazing and well experienced poet, wrote this poem about the meaning of what love is and how love looks different in the eyes of each individual. If you enjoy this poem and want to read more check out her website Reflection of Faith Alina: Personal Blog where you will be able to read more of her poems, her deepest thoughts, and some of her writing pieces.

What is love?

By Faith Richardson

It is an action that is known by all, yet

different in every eye

it keeps us human

But if its so vital why is it never applied?

Love has become misconstrued as

systems of power have been introduced

the place where our egocentrism was

conceived

the inability to acknowledge another

being

This is what I interpret as the

evacuation of love

Your people are discussed as past

Tense, believed to be extent

Mine are known as the hunted, the

Prey of America

We live on your land as a country built

by my people

we weren’t shown love

Colonized to believe that we are

unworthy of such a thing

Never knowing love’s true extent

It includes all living things

We are worthy of love because we are

Here

Like intrinsic value there is something

intrinsic about love

An action that is embedded into every

Being

So when asked what is love

Known that it isn’t this romantic fantasy

That we’ve all been sold

It is not binary

There is no right way or wrong answer

Love is the comforting smell of

grandma’s homemade meal, as you all

gather around the table

Love is the burning of your swollen,

Dry eyes as you cry for another lost

black life, that you never even knew

Love is the sparkle in your mom’s low,

almond, brown eyes when she comes

home to you and your siblings after a

10 hour shift

Love is being greeted with warm hugs

and genuine smiles as you enter a

church that gives all people the

opportunity to worship together, as a community

Love can be embraced into our every

action

Love can change the DNA of our nation

Break the chains of malice that binds us

all

it is the only pathway for our existence

because our submission to hate will

become our biggest oppressor

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This poem was written late last year at a time where a lack of love seemed to be the root of all problems. Blaming love for the reasons behind being closed off from everyone and the world. When in fact what was perceived to be love was not love at all. So, this poem is written from the perspective of love. Reinforcing what love really is and bringing into the light the reasons behind many choosing to give up on love all together.

Fear of love

(Written from loves perspective)

By Solana Jackson

Why are you so afraid of me?

What crimes have I committed against you,

That I have been found guilty?

You treat me as if I am a disease,

All masked up wearing gloves around me.

As if I would EVER harm you.

You say, you just want to protect yourself from my deceit.

From being CHARMED with my lies.

This I do not see for I do not manipulate

But instead try to REHABILITATE those who are brokenhearted

So why do you run?

Your pain runs so deep, causing much more hurt than needs be.

Once you overcome your fear of me, you’ll soon see. 

What you desire most will certainly come from me.

Just open your heart to the possibility.

Love is what will set you free.

Fear is your true enemy… not me.

You’ll think you are just being cautious. Instead, you are paranoid,

Meeting everyone and everything with distrust.

But you say this is because of me.

Why?

Because you once gave in to me

and was met with neglect and disloyalty.

They claimed that they cared but their actions showed you otherwise

So, you locked your heart up and threw away the key…

For someone who never was a true representation of me.

I am patient, kind, and will never leave your side

I will hold your hand in the darkest of places

I am a shoulder to cry on when in need of comfort.

I am a listening ear who never judges when you need to vent.

I will always be here waiting for you no matter how long it takes for you to recognize me.

In conclusion, National Poetry Month is an opportunity to celebrate the power of poetry and the impact it can have on our lives. Whether you’re writing your own poetry, attending poetry events, or reading the works of famous poets, take the time to appreciate the beauty of language and the power of words.