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Thursday, April 30, 2026

National Poetry Month Lightning Round

Greetings, friends! I know you're not used to hearing from me on a Thursday, but it's the last day of National Poetry Month and I didn't want it to pass by entirely unnoticed. You may have noticed that I haven't shared any poetry this month, and that has been intentional. In preparation for this month, a group of us who regularly post to celebrate it were conferring about it in light of the realization that we were actually violating the copyright of the poets whose work we'd shared in past years. While we tried to come up with some creative and interesting ways of celebrating poetry without sharing poetry, we didn't come up with anything much -- at least until Kym came to the rescue earlier this month with a series of quick questions related to poetry and our enjoyment of it. I don't know that everyone will participate, but I thought it was a fun activity for an otherwise non-blog day.

This photo has nothing to do with poetry,
but I thought it was too pretty not to share.

When was the first time you remember being moved by a poem? Bonus points if you remember which poem.
When I was little, I had a beautiful illustrated version of Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." To this day, it's still one of my favorites because of the feeling of calm and quiet that washes over me when I read it.

Favorite nursery rhyme?
I'd have to say "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" (technically a poem!) because we performed it in kindergarten -- I was the moon!

Favorite Mary Oliver poem? (Just one…)
I don't have one -- simply because I haven't read them all yet!

Song lyrics: Poetry? Or something else?
Definitely poetry!

Favorite Dr. Seuss book?
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish -- it's the first one I remember owning.

A poetry collection you’ve read recently? 
I'm ashamed to say I can't remember! I had intentions of reading several collections this month, but life got in the way. But I'm hoping to read through Billy Collins's Dog Show collection soon because I have a lovely signed copy that was sent to me as a gift.

When do find yourself reaching for poetry most often?
I find I need poetry most often when I'm in need of soothing or calming, but in my opinion, there's no bad time for poetry.

How do you keep track of poems you especially like?
Post-its, bookmarks, or folded-down corners of books

Favorite movie having to do with poetry?
Possession (the book wasn't bad, either!)

Which poem are you keeping in your pocket today?
Probably the next one I read!

4 comments:

  1. Such great answers, Sarah! And now I'll think of you as the moon . . . in Wynken, Blynken, and Nod . . . which was a favorite poem for me, too, as a child. XO

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  2. When was the first time you remember being moved by a poem? Bonus points if you remember which poem.
    I was making the bed (as an adult in my 30s) and listening to NPR. The poem was A Tale Begun. It’s honestly one of my most vivid memories!

    Favorite nursery rhyme?
    Ring Around the Rosie because me kids loved the “we all fall down part”.

    Favorite Mary Oliver poem?
    Wild Geese because it’s the only one I can think of right now.

    Song lyrics or poetry?
    Song lyrics because some of them are poetry!

    Favorite Dr. Seuss book?
    The Lorax

    A poetry collection you’ve read recently?
    Map by Wislawa Szymborska

    When do you find yourself reaching for poetry?
    Any time!

    How do you keep track of poems you like?
    By dog-earing pages in books I own, and with folders (both paper and digital). Sometimes post-its on the refrigerator.

    What poem is in your pocket?
    I’m carrying my Poetry Cootie Catcher in my pocket literally and may ambush a few people with it.

    I love Winken, Blynken, and Nod and love picturing little Sarah as the moon!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love knowing the story behind the decision to skip the poetry posts this month. It is a good thing to do the right thing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I still have what may be your version of Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening. A college friend gave it to me as a gift. We went night skiing fairly often one winter and (weirdos that we were) used to trade lines from Snowy Evening down the easy runs.

    ReplyDelete

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