There’s a poem in this place—
in the footfalls in the halls
in the quiet beat of the seats.
It is here, at the curtain of day,
where America writes a lyric
you must whisper to say.
Amanda Gorman from “In This Place" (An American Lyric)
CARRBORO, N.C. – Carrboro Mayor Damon Seils has declared April as Poetry Month in Carrboro.
“I encourage all residents to celebrate poetry and poets by reading, listening to, and sharing poems,” Mayor Seils said. “Moreover, I invite all residents to hear Poet Laureate Fred Joiner and his guests read poems at the beginning of upcoming meetings of the Town Council.”
Activities coming up include:
- Carrboro Poet Laureate Fred Joiner will invite special guests to read poems at the beginning of upcoming meetings of the Town Council for April 5, 12, 19, and 26. Access the poems read at previous Council meetings at https://www.carrboronc.gov/2593/Poetry-Readings-During-Town-Council-Meet
- “Poem in Your Pocket Day,” which will take place this year on Friday, April 29, encourages people to select a poem and carry it with them to share with others.
The Town of Carrboro established the position of poet laureate in 2002 to enhance the presence of poetry in the social and civic life of Carrboro. Poet Laureate Fred Joiner was selected as a Laureate Fellow of the Academy of American Poets in 2019, one of 13 poets of literary merit chosen from across the United States to “enable them to undertake meaningful, impactful, and innovative projects that engage their fellow residents, including youth, with poetry, helping to address issues important to their communities, as well as create new work.”
The Town’s signature poetry event, the West End Poetry Festival, is held over one weekend every October to bring together poets of diverse styles, backgrounds, and stages of development to share poems and their love of poetry. Learn more at https://westendpoetryfestival.org/
The Academy of American Poets established the month of April as National Poetry Month in 1996 to celebrate the legacy and ongoing achievements of poets in the United States, introduce the pleasures and benefits of reading poetry, bring poets and poetry to the public in immediate and innovative ways, and make poetry an important part of children’s education.
Read this proclamation at https://www.carrboronc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10966/Poetry-Month-Proclamation-April-2022_Mayor-Seils
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