Poetry Open Mic Event April 12 at Moon Lake Library

Last year, Dekie Hicks, a writer and editor from nearby Rome, Georgia, approached Moon Lake Library about the possibility of developing a poetry club that would meet monthly. “Like a book club, but for poetry,” she explained. Poetry enthusiasts could share their own work, but it would also serve as a place to discuss the work of published poets, taking a close look at their writing and discussing what made it effective (or not).

Now, a year later, the club is hosting the library’s first open mic event in celebration of April as National Poetry Month. On Sunday, April 12, at 2 p.m. at the library, poets and poetry fans can gather to share some of their favorites. This event will be in lieu of the poetry club’s regular monthly meeting on the first Thursday of the month.

To participate in the library’s first open mic event, please bring at least one poem, which can be your own work or a published poem. Sign-ups will be at the door. Readers will have up to five minutes to share. Depending on the number of participants, there may be additional time available for those who’d like to read more. We also welcome audience members who may not choose to read but who appreciate poetry and enjoy hearing it read.

Readers of all ages are welcome. We invite children and teens to participate in this open mic event. People can read individually or in pairs or small groups. All we ask is that you take no more than five minutes — shorter is fine too — so that the next reader has time to share in this supportive community space.

Need a poem or two? Come to Moon Lake Library and check out the 811s in nonfiction. There you’ll find Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver, Nikki Giovanni, Billy Collins, and many others. PoetryFoundation.org also offers a wealth of resources for aspiring writers and fans.

Do you journal daily? Challenge yourself to focus on poetry during April. Try to write a poem as part of that practice. Observe small moments closely, use language in creative ways, and show us a new way of thinking about the ordinary. We look forward to hearing from you on April 12 at Moon Lake Library.