COLUMBIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL POETRY MONTH WITH NC POET LAUREATE JAKI SHELTON GREEN

Written By john mccann

I remember back in 1996 when April was established as National Poetry Month by the Academy of American Poets. At the time, I was consulting to the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses, and the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering of the Western Folklife Center. A real heady time, getting to meet poets like Gwendolyn Brooks, Allen Ginsberg, Rita Dove, and to work with splendid magazines like the Georgia Review, Ploughshares, and the Kenyon Review, as the time edited by the wondrous Marilyn Hacker.

So, I’m very excited that we are helping to host Jaki Shelton Green, our beloved NC Poet Laureate in Columbia for a wonderful celebration of April as National Poetry Month. Here are the events:

  • Thursday, April 24-Monday, April 28: Sistawrite women’s writers retreat at the Blue Juniper Inn (this event is sold out)

  • Friday, April 25 (4:30-6:00) Workshop for Columbia High School students on the mezzanine level at Inner Banks Mercantile

Plan to join in the festivities!

Finally, here’s a short poem by Jaki: Visit the Academy of American Poets to learn more!

Jaki speaking at our Open House in June 2024

Rumors

what could the clouds be

whispering about me?

they don’t even know my name

hush child!

hush

ain’t i told you a thousand

times to whisper when we

walking thru the sky.

girl, cloud know your name

moon too

stars told ‘em

they know ‘bout you

know ‘bout you before you were ever born

#NationalPoetryMonth

john mccann
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