New Stamp Just for National Poetry Month

America’s Best Poets
The U.S. Postal Service is marking National Poetry Month with the release on April 21 of a new stamp pane honoring 10 of America’s best 20th-century poets. Each of the stamps features a black-and-white photo of one of the acclaimed poets: Elizabeth Bishop, Joseph Brodsky, Gwendolyn Brooks, E.E. Cummings, Robert Hayden, Denise Levertov, Sylvia Plath, Theodore Roethke, Wallace Stevens and William Carlos Williams. Mailing a love letter? Adorn it with a stamp of E.E. Cummings, whose many well-known poems include the wistfully romantic “I carry your heart with me.” Crafting a letter of apology? Consider a stamp of William Carlos Williams, who penned “This Is Just To Say” as a half-hearted apology to his wife for eating those famous plums. You can also enjoy more of the work of these noted poets and many others by checking out The Penguin Anthology of 20th Century American Poetry, a new collection edited by former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove.

Literature Criticism Online

Looking for criticism of a novel, play, poetry or drama?  Literature Criticism Online is just what you need.

We just added these new titles to our vast collection of literature criticism:

• Contemporary Literary Criticism Vol 311
• Nineteenth-Century Literature Criticism Vol 246
• Poetry Criticism Vol 121
• Short Story Criticism Vol 156

Anthologies

Recently we got ask this question  – Where are the anthologies?

The library has many anthologies including these online resources:

The Literature Resource Center has a host of anthologies as well as information about them.

Also Student Resources in Context is a good source for anthologies.

Besides the anthologies in print the eMedia Catalog has 25 anthologies in ebook and eaudio format.

National Poetry Month

Image via Wikipedia

Commemorating poetry and its significance in the American cultural landscape

National Poetry Month, launched in April 1996, commemorates poetry and its significant placement in the American cultural landscape.

Literary and poetry organizations, publishers, libraries, schools, booksellers and poets throughout the nation participate in the annual month-long celebration each April, which includes poetry readings, workshops and festivals. National Poetry Month, by honoring all aspects of poetic activity, aspires to generate interest in and excitement about poetry and all of its traditions and forms.

In honor of National Poetry Month, SIRS Knowledge Source commemorates notable poets from all corners of the world, introduces analyses of their work, and highlights poetry projects and programs. Articles include:

ARTICLES & RESOURCES

1. Dante in Love

2. Masterpiece: ‘Paul Revere’s Ride’ (1860)

3. Soil and Soul

4. Sweeping Up the Heart

5. The Tithonos Myth in Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid

6. Search for a New Poetics Yields This: ‘Kitty Goes Postal/Wants a Pizza’

WEB SITE

Poetry Out Loud

Who needs poetry?

Is poetry part of any standardized test? Then why bother?

What kind of career will that train you for – writing greeting cards?

April is National Poetry Month – a natural draw for fans of the literary form, but a harder sell for “realists” and others who believe poetry doesn’t have a place in their busy lives.

Like learning music, practicing creative writing engages the intuitive and imaginative “right brain.” People whose thoughts and actions are driven by the analytical and logical “left brain” may need help understanding how engaging the creative side can foster a more well-rounded thought process.

• An introduction to poetry can provide respite from everyday stresses. Creative writing offers a chance for emotional release in a way Facebook or Twitter cannot replicate.

• Among students, an environment of standardized tests places emphasis on memorization and analytics. Engaging the creative right brain – via poetry – can help boost problem-solving skills.

On April 14th carry a poem in your pocket. Get your poem by downloading it to your smartphone to listen to it or add it to your ebook reader or smartphone from the eMedia Catalog.  Tip: Select Advance Search then in the Subject box select - Poetry.

Some people will never be on board with poetry, but others may enjoy the change and the challenge of re-imagining the view of their world. Need help getting started with writing or reading poetry?  Try these online resources available in the Virtual Library.

For Middle and High School Students:

• Spotlight on National Poetry Month (SIRS)
  Commemorating poetry and its significance in the American cultural landscape.Includes a poetry quiz.
• Poetry for Students (27 volumes)
• Shakespeare for Students: Critical Interpretations of Shakespeare’s Plays and Poetry
• Thematic Guide to American Poetry
• Thematic Guide to British Poetry
• Young Adult Poetry: A Survey and Theme Guide
• Poetry Topic Page

For Elementary Students

• Kids InfoBits – Subject = Poetry

Related Links

Poets.org – poetry, Poems, Bios and More!

Poetry Game for Students

Gary Snyder – Poet

National Poetry Month