There’s a Poem in my Pocket!

In the midst of National Library Week, we have another day to celebrate! I have written a few blogs now on my love of poetry, so you can imagine how excited I am for National Poem in your Pocket day, on Thursday April 18^th! The idea behind it is pretty simple: head over to the library, get one of the poems set out for students, read it, and stick it in your pocket for the day. It’s already conveniently cut to fit your pocket perfectly, so why not? You can read it, share it with friends and family, post it on social media, its your poem to play with! It reminds us on the importance of culture and writing in our daily lives, and it means you can read some great new poems. Want to get a head start? Read a few of these poems right here, and pick the one you want to share the most! The worst that could happen is interrupting your chemistry lab with an impromptu poetry slam.

The First

By Sharon Hendricks

Heart is pounding, pulse is quickening
Two bodies come together.
Both people shaking like a leaf
despite the steamy weather.
This time is absolutely tarrying
Don’t think I am a miss.
Because nothing is more scary
than a very first kiss.

Long Island Sound

By Emma Lazarus

I see it as it looked one afternoon

In August,—by a fresh soft breeze o’erblown.
The swiftness of the tide, the light thereon,
A far-off sail, white as a crescent moon.
The shining waters with pale currents strewn,
The quiet fishing-smacks, the Eastern cove,
The semi-circle of its dark, green grove.
The luminous grasses, and the merry sun
In the grave sky; the sparkle far and wide,
Laughter of unseen children, cheerful chirp
Of
crickets, and low lisp of rippling tide,
Light summer clouds fantastical as sleep
Changing unnoted while I gazed thereon.
All these fair sounds and sights I made my own.

A Book

By Emily Dickinson

There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!

CP