Tap your inner poet this National Poetry Month

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/04/2018 (2958 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

April is the 20th anniversary of National Poetry Month, and this is my last article as a community correspondent at The Metro.

National Poetry Month brings together schools, publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries and poets from across the country to celebrate poetry and its vital place in Canada’s culture. Not only does this month aim to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in all its many guises, but it also offers public readings and creative ways to tap into your inner poet.

From now until April 30, there are lots of opportunities in Winnipeg to listen to and try your hand at poetry.

St. James-Assiniboia Library’s Paint Chip Poetry lets colour inspire you to write a quick poem on a paint chip sample that you can either leave behind or take with you.

Westwood Library has Magnetic Fridge Poetry where you can build your own poem by attaching magnetic words to Westwood’s “fridge” and see what combinations your imagination can create.

In its April 21 edition, the Winnipeg Free Press will feature poems by Winnipeg poets, and on April 30, McNally Robinson (www.mcnallyrobinson.com) will host those poets as they read their own work.

As well, readings are scheduled at various locations throughout the city, including Strong Badger Coffeehouse and Bar Italia.

Poetry is a form of literature I have never really explored, although I have written a handful of poems. Mostly I write stories, speeches and plays, and now I want to make the time to do a lot more of that.

Being a correspondent for the Canstar Metro these past two years has been so much fun. I’ve explored interesting places in our own backyard — Yellow Ribbon Trail, Garbage Hill, Woodhaven Hill, Bourkevale Park and the Living Prairie Museum – and met some extraordinary people in our community, including Art Brown, Lance Bell and Alberta, Ernie Kull and Strat, and everyone at the Woodhaven Men’s Shed and Equal Opportunities West.

If you would like to discover more about what’s going on in your community, I highly recommend this gig. Contact John Kendle at Canstar Community News for more information (www.canstarnews.com).

As I set out to explore other avenues, I’d like to thank you for reading my stories and emailing your comments and suggestions, some of which made me very proud of the work I’ve done.

Be sure to enjoy National Poetry Month, and may we all tap into our inner poet from here on in.

Jenny Gates is a speaker, writer and book editor, and a community correspondent for St. James. Contact her at words@jennygates.com with questions and ideas.