Saturday, April 2, 2011

National Poetry Month - St. Johns County

Ancient City Poets Celebrate National Poetry Month

ST. AUGUSTINE – Ancient City Poets, a group of local artists who have been gathering monthly in town since August of 2009, announce their efforts to salute their craft. Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. Thousands of business and non-profit organizations participate through reading, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events.

“This is a great opportunity to display and play with the written word” says Chris Bodor, a member of Ancient City Poets. This year the group is inviting all interested writers to bring an original poem printed and mounted for display to Gifts for Living, located 215 West King Street, during the store’s business hours. Please limit the display size to 8 ½ by 11 inches. Located across the street from Present Moments CafĂ©, the store is open Tuesday to Friday, 11 AM to 5:30 PM, and Saturday noon to 3 PM. For more information contact the owner Deb Crossley at (904) 824-9513. The poems will be displayed during April concluding with a First Friday send off on May 06, from 5 to 8 pm.


Area poets are also invited to attend a special reading on Sunday May 1st from 3 to 5 pm at Gifts for Living. Authors are encouraged to attend and read their displayed poem. Members of Ancient City Poets will be in attendance to report on their Poet in your Pocket Day observations. Thursday, April 14 is a day set aside to carry a poem in your pocket to share with your friends, family, classmates, and colleagues. Write your own poem or borrow one from your favorite poet, just make sure to join in on the celebration.