From poetry slams to bookstore readings, from classroom discussions to programs that post poems in subway trains—all show that poetry today is a vibrant and vital form of literary expression, capable of combining aesthetic beauty with acute commentary on contemporary events. April is National Poetry Month, established by the Academy of American Poets in 1996 as a month-long celebration of poets and poetry. But what exactly is poetry? Is it a specific type of writing? Or is it a unique mode of thinking? Join Britannica and explore the different forms poetry takes and the stories of the people who have written it.
Famous poets born in April
Not only does April hold the distinction of being National Poetry Month, it's also the month when the birthdays of several of the world's most renowned poets are celebrated, including:
What is poetry?
The subject of poetry is vast, ancient, and nearly impossible to define due to its constant evolution as an art form. There are a number of different types of poetry, including:
How does poetry work?
Although poetry can take many different forms, these building blocks help establish the structure, sound, and overall flow of this unique form of artistic expression:
What forms does poetry take?
As a means of expression, poetry has spawned a wide array of genres, many of which are unique to different regions and languages around the world, including:
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In The Wasteland, T.S. Eliot (pictured) calls April "the cruelest month," responsible for "breeding / Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing / Memory and desire, stirring / Dull roots with spring rain. / Winter kept us warm, covering / Earth in forgetful snow, feeding / A little life with dried tubers."
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