Words have always been important to me—both reading them and writing them. Prose is precious, but I love it so much when a poem distills into a few words a feeling or observation I’ve had, or expands how I see something.

Poetry provides a necessary and thoughtful antidote to a digital and AI slop-filled world. And National Poetry Month is a great time to reaffirm the importance of poetry in our culture and in our lives.

The Academy of American Poets launched National Poetry Month in April 1996, making April 2026 the occasion’s 30^th anniversary! According to the official website, National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, when millions of readers celebrate their ongoing love of the form. 

I’ve turned to reading poetry when I want to find comfort during times of struggle, enjoy wordplay and humor, touch my emotions, or contemplate a beautiful thought. I’ve written poetry for the same reasons. And while I don’t read it as much as I do, say, cozy mysteries, I would definitely feel the loss if I never picked up another book of poetry.

Here are some of my most recent encounters with poetry:

I’m playing with the prompts in The Magic Words, by Joseph Fasano. 

A Poetry Handbook, by Mary Oliver, is sitting on my desk, waiting to be opened. 

I’ve been dipping into this collection of Robert Frost’s poetry after a character quoted “Nothing Gold Can Stay” in The Outsiders. 

I’m also dipping into this collection of Rumi. 

I enjoyed Instructions for Traveling West, by Joy Sullivan, so much I bought my own copy. 

I’m in line at the library for Kate Baer’s How About Now. 

Just checked out Loss, by Donna Ashworth from my library. (A new edition of this book comes out in June in the U.S.)

Celebrate and participate

If you want to engage with more poetry, here are a few ways to do so during National Poetry Month:

Watch Poetry & the Creative Mind 2026, a free benefit reading celebrating the 30th anniversary of National Poetry Month. 

Sign up for poem a day, the only daily poetry series publishing new work by today’s poets. 

Celebrate 30 Years of National Poetry Month one of these 30 ways. 

Find a poem for any occasion here. 

If you’re a poetry lover, or even poetry curious, I encourage you to try one of the activities listed above. I’d love to hear about your adventures in poetry, so come back and drop me note in the comments below!

 

Read more about National Poetry Month on Catching Happiness:

For many years, I’ve marked National Poetry Month with at least one post on Catching Happiness. Here are a few of my favorites:

The Benefits of Reading Poetry

Returning to a Simple Pleasure: Celebrating Poetry During National Poetry Month

It’s National Poetry Month—No Foolin’

Simple Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month