Poetry Month in April
National Poetry Month was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Over the years, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture.
In April, the Amesbury Cultural Council and the Whittier Home Association are co-hosting, for the 3rd year, Amesbury’s local Poetry Month celebration. There will be four events throughout the month at various venues. Our goal is to share the joys of poetry by broadening its appeal – for example, listen to “light” poetry and have a chuckle, drink your favorite local brew while taking in verse, and visit our local library to meet our poetry community sharing their work via open mic.
Amesbury has shown its commitment to the art form of poetry through the appointment of our second Poet Laureate, Stephen R. Wagner in January, 2018. Our first Poet Laureate, Lainie Senechal, served a 2-year term from 2016 to 2017, and paved the way. She has created quite a following for our poetry events taking place throughout the year.
Amesbury, MA is surely an appropriate location as it is steeped in poetic history. John Greenleaf Whittier lived and wrote most of his poetry and prose here in his home. Today, the classic New England farmhouse is a National Historic Landmark. The home and the Whittier Home Association play an important role in the region’s contemporary literary scene, attracting writers from Greater Boston and beyond.
Poetry Month Events:
Thursday, April 5, 7:00 PM, “A Light Night of Verse,” BareWolf Brewery, Amesbury, MA
Wednesday, April 18, 6:00 PM, “A Night of Light Verse,” Silvaticus Brewery, Amesbury, MA
Sunday, April 22, 3:00 PM, “Whittier Through the Years,” Friends Meeting House, Amesbury, MA
Tuesday, April 24, 6:00 PM, “Amesbury Public Library Poetry Series,” Featuring Paulette Demers Turco, Amesbury Public Library, Amesbury, MA
Youth Poetry Contests:
Whittier Home “Gathering of Verses” Poetry contest for High School High Students. Contest winners announced in April.
Amesbury Public Library “16th Annual Grades K-5 Poetry Contest” during the month of April.
For more information, please see the Poetry Month page of our Amesbury Cultural Council website. Contacts: Stephen R. Wagner, Amesbury Poet Laureate Email: stephenrwagner@yahoo.com Lainie Senechal, Amesbury Poet Laureate (2016 to 2017) Email: emsenechal@gmail.com Bonnie Brady and Sandra Morrissey, Amesbury Cultural Council, co-leads email: info@amesburyculturalcouncil.org